Development and Validation of a Scale of Perceived Social Self-Efficacy

The present study involved the development and psychometric evaluation of the Scale of Perceived Social Self-Efficacy (PSSE), a measure of self-efficacy expectations with respect to a range of social behaviors. A high degree of internal consistency reliability was found for the PSSE in a development sample of 354 undergraduate students (90 males and 264 females), with coefficient alpha = .94. Test-retest reliability over a 3-week interval was r = .82 (r = .86 for males and r = .80 for females). Data from correlational analyses supported the construct and discriminant validity of the scale in that social self-efficacy was strongly related to both Social Confidence and Enterprising Confidence (from the Skills Confidence Inventory) but was substantially unrelated to confidence in the other four (Holland) confidence scales. Social self-efficacy was also strongly related to shyness, which has been found to seriously hinder career development processes in young adults. Directions for further career research and assessment are discussed.