43. Self- efficacy (self-belief)

Introduction

Self-efficacy (self-belief) is your overall belief in your ability to succeed in what you are doing, eg parenting, vocation, academic, task, job, occupation, etc
"...the belief we have in our own abilities, specifically our ability to meet the challenges ahead of us and complete a task successfully..."
Courtney E. Ackerman, 2018

You have the ability to influence the events of your life, despite how stressful and challenging they are.
It is
"...a self-sustaining trait; when a person driven to work through their problems on their own terms, gain positive experiences that in turn boost their self-efficacy even more..."
Albert Bandura as quoted by Courtney E. Ackerman, 2018
It has been described
"...as the fuel that drives change..."
Mamie Morrow as quoted by Courtney E. Ackerman, 2018

Locus of control

Self-efficacy is linked with 'locus of control'
"...where you believe the power to alter your life events resides within you (internal locus of control) or outside of you (external locus of control)..."
Courtney E. Ackerman, 2018
If you have a strong external locus of control, it means that you do not have a solid sense of belief in your own abilities. To have a strong self-efficacy, you need to have a weak external focus of control and strong internal focus of control. However, having a balance is best
"...Those who blame themselves for everything are not likely to be healthy and happy in their lives, while those who don't blame themselves for anything are likely not to be completely in touch with reality and may have trouble relating to and connecting with others..."
Courtney E. Ackerman, 2018

Low self- efficacy

Low self-efficacy
"...is basically the belief that one does not have control over the situation and cannot manage potential threats, which logically lead to increased anxiety. this result can spark (or continue) at self-repeating cycle in which low self-efficacy lead to greater anxiety and greater avoidant behaviours, which leads to fewer asked experiences and fewer opportunities to successfully cope with distress, which in turn lowers the individual self-efficacy and anxiety..."
Albert Bandura as quoted by Courtney E. Ackerman, 2018