Influence of self-efficacy and perceived parental support on life satisfaction of students in North West University, Mafikeng Campus

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of self-efficacy and perceived parental support on life satisfaction of students in NWU Mafikeng campus. The study was anchored on four ( 4) hypotheses: ( l) to determine whether self-efficacy and perceived parental support predict life satisfaction of university students, (2) to compare life satisfaction between students who reside in urban and rural areas, (3) to examine the influence of employment status of the mother on life satisfaction of university students and ( 4) to examine the influence of socio-economic status of the family on life satisfaction of university students. The study used a questionnaire with four sections l , 2, 3 and 4. Section l contained demographic items, section 2 contained general self-efficacy scale that facilitated goal setting, effort investment, persistence in face of barriers and recovery from setbacks; section 3 contained child and adolescent social support scale comprised of the sub-scale measuring emotional, instrumental , appraisal and informational supp011 from parents, and section 4 contained the satisfaction with life scale measuring global cognitive judgment of one's life satisfaction. Psychometric prope11ies of all the scales used are reliable. Three hundred (300) participants were randomly selected from five (5) Faculties (Human and Social Sciences, Agriculture Science and Technology, Law, Education and, Commerce and Administration) within the No11h West University, Mafikeng Campus. The researcher approached the students du1ing lecture period where the sample was stratified by age, preferably 18-29 years. Both males and females stood equal chances to participate in the study. Participants (N=300) consisting of males (N= 134) and females (N= 166) who enrolled with the university for the first time were included while those who repeat modules were excluded. The age of pai1icipants ranged from 18-29 years, their mean age was 23 .5. The first hypothesis was tested using a simple linear multiple regression statistical analysis, second hypothesis was tested using at-test, third and fourth hypotheses were tested using one way ANOVA. The results for hypothesis one revealed a significant joint influence of self-efficacy and social support on the life satisfaction of students R2 =.242, F (2 ,297) = 47.314, p < .001). The result indicated that jointly, self-efficacy and perceived social support accounted for about 24% of the variance in life satisfaction of the students. Also, the results demonstrated that independently, self-efficacy contributed significantly to life satisfaction of students W = .241 , t = 4.635, p<.001). Meaning that high score on self-efficacy is significantly related to high scores on life satisfaction. Similarly, perceived parental support contributed significantly to Iife satisfaction(~ .3 75, t = 7 .223, p < .001). This suggests that students who perceived more parental support from their significant others reported being more satisfied with their lives while those who perceived less parental support reported less life satisfaction. The results for hypothesis two showed no significant mean difference on life satisfaction between students who resided in urban and rural areas, t (2, 298) =.167; p = n.s). The results for hypothesis three revealed a significant influence of employment status of mother on life satisfaction of the students (F (4,295) = 5.042 ; p < .001 ). An observation of mean differences showed that students who have pennanent employed mothers (M = 23.965, SD = 6.339) rep011ed higher levels of life satisfaction compared to those who have temporarily employed mothers (M = 19.711 , SD = 6.766), and those whose mothers were previously employed (M = 19.077, SD = 7.123). However, students who have pennanent employed mothers (M = 23.965 , SD = 6.339), students who have self-employed mothers (M = 24.769, SD = 5.476), and those who have unemployed mothers (M = 23. 109, SD = 6.930) repo1ted comparable levels of life satisfaction. In addition, students who have temporarily employed mothers repo1ted low levels of life satisfaction (M = 19.711 , SD= 6.766) compared to students who have self-employed mothers (M = 24.769, SD = 5.476), and those who have unemployed mothers (M = 23 .109, SD = 6.930). Meanwhile, students who have temporarily employed mothers (M = 19.711 , SD = 6.766) and those who have previously employed mothers (M = 19.077, SD = 7.123) reported the same levels of life satisfaction. The results for hypothesis four revealed a significant effect of socio-economic status on life satisfaction of the students (F (4,295) = 4. 961; p < .00 I). An observation of the mean differences showed that students from the lower income families (M = 20.046, SD = 7.402) reported lower levels of life satisfaction compared to those from middle income families (M = 24.041 , SD = 5.089), and those from upper middle income families (M = 25.471 , SD = 6.107). However, students from lower income families (M = 20.046, SD = 7.402), lower middle income families (M = 24.024, SD = 6.058), and those from upper class (M = 19.500, SD = 7.778) reported comparable levels of life satisfaction. In addition, students from lower income families (M = 20.046, SD = 7.402) reported lower levels of life satisfaction compared to those in the middle income families (M = 24.041 , SD = 5.089), and upper middle income families (M = 25.471 , SD= 6. 107). Meanwhile, students from lower income families (M = 20.046, SD= 7.402) those from upper class (M = 19.500, SD = 7. 778) reported comparable levels of life satisfaction. Lastly, students in middle income families (M = 24.041 , SD= 5.089) and those from upper middle income families (M = 25.471, SD= 6.107) reported comparable levels of life satisfaction. Finally, students from upper middle income families (M = 25.471 , SD = 6.107) and those from upper class (M = 19.500, SD= 7.778) reported higher levels of life satisfaction. Fm1hermore, students who have self-employed mothers (M = 24.769, SD = 5.476) reported higher levels of life satisfaction compared to those who have previously employed mothers (M = 19.077, SD = 7.123), while students who have self-employed mothers (M = 24.769, SD= 5 .4 76) and those who have unemployed mothers (M = 23 .109, SD = 6.930) reported comparable levels of life satisfaction. Lastly, students who have unemployed mothers (M = 23.109, SD = 6.930) reported higher levels of life satisfaction compared to those who have previously employed mothers (M = 19 .077, SD = 7 .123). It was noted in conclusion that the study contributed to the body of knowledge by showing that self-efficacy and perceived parental suppo11 have a significant influence on life satisfaction of university students. It was also noted that there is a no significant difference on life satisfaction between students who reside in urban and rural areas. It was noted again that employment status of the mother and socio-economic status have a significant effect on life satisfaction of university students.