Self-efficacy in higher education. A study focused on student profiles

Introduction: The teaching and learning processes in higher education have been subject to review, and the new, student-centred paradigm goes beyond mere memorisation of theory, instead targeting proper development of competencies enabling students to cope with aca-demic, professional, and social si...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Lorenzo Moledo, María del Mar, Mella-Núñez, Ígor, Sáez Gambín, Daniel, Vázquez-Rodríguez, Ana
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
Repositorio:Minerva. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:minerva_____::e7e9a83da25016eaf0b8c70deb833e7b
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10347/46999
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Self-efficacy
Higher education
Motivation
Academic achievement
Autoeficacia
Educación superior
Motivación
Rendimiento académico
Descripción
Sumario:Introduction: The teaching and learning processes in higher education have been subject to review, and the new, student-centred paradigm goes beyond mere memorisation of theory, instead targeting proper development of competencies enabling students to cope with aca-demic, professional, and social situations. This broader view of learning makes self-efficacy a predictive variable for academic performance, as it influences organisation and execution processes employed to deal with situations in a forward-thinking manner. The objective of this study is to analyse university students’ perceived levels of general and academic self-ef-ficacy and determine their relationship with various socio-biographical variables. Method: An exploratory study was carried out on the self-efficacy variable, using a ques-tionnaire applied to 1616 students. Factor analysis allowed differentiation between the general and academic self-efficacy dimensions. Tests included the application of non-para-metric tests (Mann Whitney U) and examination of ROC curves.Results: The findings indicated high levels of perceived self-efficacy, both academically and generally, as well as the existence of significant variations based on gender, age, and par-ticipation in community service or mobility programs.Conclusions: Research showing the levels of constructs such as self-efficacy and its possible mediating variables is important, especially given its association with university students’ learning and achievement.