Investigation of the effect of stress coping behaviors on self-efficacy in psychology students

This research was carried out to determine to what extent the styles of coping with stress predicted self-understanding. The dependent variable of the research is self-efficacy and the independent variable is the style of coping with stress. Within the scope of the research, it was also examined whether the psychology students' perceptions of coping with stress and self-efficacy differ significantly in terms of gender, educational status and economic level variables. The participant group of the research consists of undergraduate and graduate students studying in the psychology department. A total of 241 students of which 164 (68%) female and 77 (32%) male participated in the study. The research was carried out with the relational scanning model, one of the general scanning models. As a data collection tool, the "Personal Information Form" (APPENDIX-A) was used to collect the demographic information of the students. In addition the "Coping Styles Scale" (APPENDIX-B) and "General Self-Efficacy Scale" (APPENDIX-C) forms were used to collect data regarding ones understandig of the concept of self-efficacy. Regression analysis was conducted to determine to what extent the styles of coping with stress predicted self-efficacy. Result of the analysis state that the styles of coping with stress significantly predicted self-efficacy (R = 0.592; R2 = 0.350; F = 24.561; p <.001). It was found that the self-confident approach, one of the styles of coping with stress, had a significant effect on self-efficacy. Independent groups T-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine whether students' styles of coping with stress and their self-efficacy differ significantly in contrast to gender, educational status and economic level variables. As a result of the study, it was found that there is a significant difference between coping with stress and gender and educational status. Seeking social support and the helpless approach are used more frequently among women; It was observed that undergraduate and graduates used the desperate approach more often. It was observed that there was no significant difference between economic level and coping styles. Also, there were no significant differences found within self-efficacy regardless of gender, education and economic level variables.