The mediating role of perceived self-transformation in the relationship between family self-efficacy and family climate

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of perceived self-transformation in the relationship between family efficacy and family climate among university students, following a quantitative research approach with a correlational design. In this context, a structural equation model was developed to identify the role of the mediating variable (perceived self-transformation) in explaining the explanatory power of the independent variables (filial self-efficacy and collective family efficacy) on the dependent variable (family climate). The research problem statement was defined as "What is the mediating role of perceived self-transformation in the relationship between family efficacy and family climate?" The study group consisted of a total of 622 university students, including 436 females and 186 males. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 35. Data for the research were collected from students studying at Ordu University and Giresun University between 2021 and 2022. The data were obtained using the Family Self-Efficacy Scales (Filial Self-Efficacy Scale and Collective Family Efficacy Scale), Family Climate Scale, and Perceived Self-Transformation Scale. According to the research results, both collective family efficacy and child self-efficacy directly and significantly predicted both family climate and perceived self-transformation. This indicates that both collective family efficacy and filial self-efficacy have a significant impact on family climate and perceived self-transformation. Furthermore, it was found that perceived self-transformation significantly predicted family climate. Additionally, the mediating role of perceived self-transformation was found to be significant in the relationship between collective family efficacy and family climate, as well as between filial self-efficacy and family climate. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were provided for researchers, families, family therapists, and psychological counselors.