Academic Self-Efficacy Beliefs as a Mediating Variable in the Relationship between Parenting Styles and Psychological Coping Styles

Abstract

The present study aimed to uncover the possibility of mediating academic self-efficacy beliefs in the relationship between parenting styles and psychological coping styles among tenth grade students in the Sultanate of Oman. The sample consisted of 598 male and female students. The researchers used the Adjustment Styles Scale, and it consists of two dimensions of positive and negative coping. The Buri scale of parenting styles was also used after adapting it to Omani culture and it consists of three styles: authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive. The study also used an academic self-efficacy scale. The validity and reliability of the three scales were established. The results indicated the presence of high levels of positive coping, father’s and mother’s authoritative style, father’s authoritarian style, and high levels of academic self-efficacy beliefs. Statistically significant gender differences were found in positive coping and mother authoritative style favoring males. There were also statistically significant gender differences in mother’s authoritarian and permissive styles in favor of females. The results revealed the possibility of a mediating role for the academic self-efficacy beliefs in the relationship between parenting styles and psychological coping. Keywords: self-efficacy beliefs, parenting styles, psychological coping.