Perceived Stress and Self Esteem: Mediating Role of Self Efficacy among IELTS Test Takers Abstract

The study looked at the impact of self-efficacy (SE) in mediating the link between perceived stress (PS) and self-esteem (SE) among IELTS test takers. A correlational research design was employed to carry out the current research. 280 IELTS test takers were selected who already attempted one or more trials of IELTS, through purposive sampling strategy. The data were collected from 15 different academies for IELTS preparation in Lahore. The main finding of the study was that between perceived stress and self- esteem, there was a partial mediation impact of self efficacy among IELTS test takers. The results also revealed that those test-takers who gave more attempts of IELTS experience higher stress and lower self-esteem and self-efficacy. The findings were presented in terms of the necessity of offering professional support to participants in terms of increasing their self respect, self belief and overcome the stresses.