Assessment of Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Beliefs: A Review of the Status of the Art and Some Suggestions to Move the Field Forward. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alessandri, Guido; Vecchione, Michele; Caprara, Gian Vittorio
• Other Names: Keefer Kateryna guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychoeducational assessment. Volume 33:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: self-regulation -- self-efficacy -- regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs -- positive emotions -- negative emotions; Ability -- Testing -- Periodicals; Educational tests and measurements -- Periodicals; 371.713
• DOI: 10.1177/0734282914550382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-2829

Abstract

In the present article, we present a review of the current status of the art with regard to the construct of regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs. We start with the definition of the psychological construct of regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs, presenting its theoretical status within the broader theory of self-efficacy, in the social-cognitive theory. Then, we offer a broad perspective on the evaluation of the construct, by introducing the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy (RESE) scale. This instrument assesses two broad factors, self-efficacy in managing negative emotions (NEG) and self-efficacy beliefs in expressing positive emotions (POS). We review studies attesting to the reliability of the instrument and reporting gender differences in NEG and POS self-efficacy beliefs. Developmental trajectories of POS and NEG self-efficacy beliefs are also presented, and their pervasiveness is demonstrated with reference to results of several empirical studies. We also discuss differences between regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs and constructs classically associated to self-regulation. A critical evaluation of the field of research on regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs and suggestions on how to move the field forward is offered.