Self-efficacy mediates the impact of locus of control on the coping style of junior high school students

Abstract

We examined the impact of locus of control on coping style, with a primary focus on confirmation of the mediating role of self-efficacy, among a sample of 421 junior high school students. Participants completed the Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. The results revealed that both locus of control and self-efficacy were significantly correlated with coping style. Structural equation modeling indicated that self-efficacy partially mediated the effect of locus of control on coping style. These findings extend prior research and shed light on how locus of control influences coping style.