Predictive roles of self-efficacy and coping strategies in cognitive flexibility among university students

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive role of self-efficacy and coping strategies on university students’ cognitive flexibility levels. In addition to this, another aim was to examine whether there were significant differences in the level of the university students’ cognitive flexibility in terms of gender. The study was carried out with 549 university students. The data used in this study was collected from Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, General Self- Efficacy Scale, and Coping Styles Scale. T-Test was used to examine whether there were differences on Cognitive Flexibility Inventory total scores in terms of gender. The Multiple Regression Analysis was utilized to analyze whether self-efficacy and coping strategies significantly predict the level of cognitive flexibility. Multiple Regression Analysis results revealed that the participants` self-efficacy level and coping strategies` sub-dimensions of self-confidence, submissive, helpless style and seeking of social support significantly predict participants’ cognitive flexibility. The participants` self-efficacy level and coping strategies` sub-dimensions of self- confidence, submissive, helpless style and seeking of social support explains %52 of the total variance. Gender does not affect the level of cognitive flexibility.