Associations Between Self-Esteem, General Self-Efficacy, and Approaches to Studying in Occupational Therapy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore associations between self-esteem, general self-efficacy, and the deep, strategic, and surface approaches to studying. Norwegian occupational therapy students (n = 125) completed questionnaires measuring study approaches, self-esteem, and general self-efficacy. Regression analyses were used to explore the direct relationships between self-esteem, general self-efficacy and the approaches to studying, after controlling for age, gender, prior higher education, and time spent on independent studying. General self-efficacy displayed positive associations with deep and strategic approaches to studying and a negative relationship with a surface approach to studying. Self-esteem was not significantly associated with approaches to studying.

KEYWORDS:

• Approaches to studying
• higher education
• learning
• self-beliefs

Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude to the students participating in the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Statement of originality

The manuscript has not been published elsewhere and it has not been submitted simultaneously for publication elsewhere.