Learning Difficulties and Loneliness in College and Beyond: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy, Proactive Coping, and Hope

Tamar Icekson, Oranit Davidson Begerano, Michal Levinson, Jenny Savariego and Malka Margalit
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Tamar Icekson: School of Behavioral Sciences, Peres Academic Center, 10 Peres St., Rehovot 7610202, Israel
Oranit Davidson Begerano: School of Behavioral Sciences, Peres Academic Center, 10 Peres St., Rehovot 7610202, Israel
Michal Levinson: School of Behavioral Sciences, Peres Academic Center, 10 Peres St., Rehovot 7610202, Israel
Jenny Savariego: School of Behavioral Sciences, Peres Academic Center, 10 Peres St., Rehovot 7610202, Israel
Malka Margalit: School of Behavioral Sciences, Peres Academic Center, 10 Peres St., Rehovot 7610202, Israel

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: Following the conservation of resources, social-cognitive and hope theories, the goals of this study were to identify the role of self-efficacy, proactive coping, and hope as mediators in the relations between learning difficulties and loneliness distress. A questionnaire was sent to current and past students. The sample consisted of 498 participants. The results demonstrated that individuals with learning difficulties reported higher levels of loneliness compared with individuals without learning difficulties. Moreover, self-efficacy, proactive coping, and hope mediated the relations between levels of learning difficulties and loneliness. Specifically, the final model emphasized the important role of hopeful beliefs, since hope mediated the relations between learning difficulties, self-efficacy, and proactive coping with loneliness. In terms of practical implications, professionals’ awareness as well as psychoeducational programs could be tailor-made to enhance hopeful beliefs and reduce loneliness.

Keywords: learning difficulties; loneliness; self-efficacy; proactive coping; hope (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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