The Impact of Self-Efficacy on Stress and Depression among University Students

Higher education studies have become stressful day by day due to extremely high work load, future consciousness in students and due to expectations of parents/ caregivers. These responsibilities and challenges result in stress which has been widely accepted as the main barrier for academic success. In the long run, stressful life events are changed into bad moods, negative cognitions and towards depressive symptoms. Self efficacy is impactful not only in maintaining emotional, behavioral and cognitive functioning but also on the whole considered as a key element for optimizing human potential. Self efficacy is a development of learning process that masters self control which enables the individuals to authorize themselves. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of self efficacy on stress and depression among university students. Sample comprised of students (N=75) of post graduate level. Sample was divided into male (n= 35) and female (n=40). Data were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results indicate that self efficacy have significant influence on both stress and depression. Thus, results clearly indicated stronger self efficacy produces better higher education outcomes and it appears as a negotiator of stress and depression for university students.