Relationship between general self-efficacy and coping style among college students

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between general self-efficacy and coping style among college students and to provide evidences for mental health education among the students.MethodsA self-designed general questionnaire, General Self Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were used in a survey among 700 sophomores and juniors selected from two universities with two-stage sampling.ResultsThe mean general self-efficacy score for the students was 2.43±0.32 and the score was significantly different among the students of different majors and whether being a student cadre (both P<0.05). The mean scores for positive and negative coping were 2.59±0.35 and 2.03±0.21 among the students and the scores were significantly different among the students from different regions, with different familial structure, monthly income, and atmosphere, and whether being a student cadre and a scholarship owner in the university (all P<0.05). Correlation analyses revealed that general self-efficacy was correlated positively with positive coping style(r=0.303, P<0.01) and inversely with negative coping style (r=0.327,P<0.01).ConclusionEnhancing general self-efficacy could be helpful to adopting positive coping style among college students.