Self-Efficacy in Social Work: Development and Initial Validation of the Self-Efficacy Scale for Social Workers

Monica Pedrazza, Elena Trifiletti, Sabrina Berlanda and Gian Antonio Di Bernardo
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Monica Pedrazza: Department of Philosophy, Education and Psychology, University of Verona, Via San Francesco, 22, Verona 37129, Italy
Elena Trifiletti: Department of Philosophy, Education and Psychology, University of Verona, Via San Francesco, 22, Verona 37129, Italy
Sabrina Berlanda: Department of Philosophy, Education and Psychology, University of Verona, Via San Francesco, 22, Verona 37129, Italy
Gian Antonio Di Bernardo: Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, Padova 35131, Italy

Social Sciences, 2013, vol. 2, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Self-efficacy beliefs do not reflect a generic sense of competence, but are instead context-specific. Therefore, self-efficacy should be assessed by using an ad hoc scale measuring individual behaviors that allows social workers to exercise influence over events that affect their work life. The present study describes the development and initial validation of the self-efficacy scale for social workers (SESSW). Items were generated through the Critical Incident Technique. Sixteen social workers with at least 10 years of service participated in two focus groups; they were asked to recall critical incidents in their work and to indicate the most effective behaviors to manage the incidents. Content analysis of the focus group transcripts provided 13 key self-efficacy beliefs. The 13-item scale was validated with a sample of 805 social workers. Data were analyzed using a split-sample technique. Exploratory factor analysis on the first split sample ( n = 402) revealed three dimensions of self-efficacy, corresponding to emotion regulation, support request, and procedural self-efficacy. The three-factor structure of the scale was further confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis on the second split sample ( n = 403). Our results show that SESSW is an adequate instrument for assessment of self-efficacy beliefs in social work.

Keywords: self-efficacy; social work; scale validation; exploratory factor analysis; confirmatory factor analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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