Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and

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1 Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author.

2 The Impact of Self-Efficacy and Cognitive Appraisal on Coping Adaptability in Military Recruits: A Test of a Model and its Impact on Organisational Outcomes A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts m Psychology at Massey University, Albany New Zealand Bethany Loughran 2008

3 Abstract The present research aimed to test a model of adaptation in RNZAF recruits which was similar in structure to transactional models of stress such as Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) model. Using a longitudinal design and dispositional measures the study assessed the impact of general self-efficacy and cognitive appraisal at the start of recruit training on coping adaptability at the end of training. These variables were also assessed as to their impact on organisationally relevant variables including organisational commitment, perceived performance improvement and readiness for next career phase. Overall the study had two broad aims. The first was to confirm the relationships between appraisal, coping adaptability and outcomes as previously shown in transactional models of stress and coping. The second aim was to discover how self-efficacy impacted on the model, more specifically, whether it acted as a moderator, mediator or antecedent to the appraisal - coping relationship. The results confirmed that challenge appraisal was associated with better organisational outcomes, this relationship was fully mediated by coping adaptability. Self-efficacy was strongly correlated with challenge appraisal however did not moderate the appraisal - coping relationship nor did it mediate the appraisal - coping adaptability relationship. The direct relationship between self-efficacy and coping adaptability was however, fully mediated by challenge appraisal. Threat appraisal did not demonstrate strong relationships with the remaining variables in this sample. Additionally, general self-efficacy, challenge appraisal and coping adaptability were associated with organisational commitment and readiness but not with performance improvement.

4 Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor Dr Dianne Gardner for her encouragement and feedback during the writing of this thesis. Secondly, I would like to thank the RNZAF and NZDF Psychology Directorates for providing me with access to their data. I would especially like to thank Sarah Overdale for her guidance. I would especially like to thank my family, my partner and my friends for the amazing amount of support and encouragement they have given me throughout this year which I could not have done without. II

5 Table of Contents Abstract... i Acknowledgements... ii Table of Contents... iii List of Tables... vii List of Figures... viii Chapter Training in the Military... 1 Training Outcomes... I Predicting outcomes of military training Objectives of the present research Organisationally relevant training outcomes Psychological predictors of training outcomes... 3 Chapter summary... 4 Chapter Mod el Development... 5 Mode ls of stress Early Models... 5 Stressor-S train models... 6 Transactional model The Present Research Amended Model Dispositional approach Longitudinal research Chapter summary Chapter Cognitive Appraisal and Coping Cognitive Appraisal Primary Appraisal Secondary Appraisal lll

6 Physiological effects of appraisal Determinants of appraisal Components of relevance Dispositions Appraisal as a trait Coping What is coping? Types of coping Problem and emotion focused coping Meaning and social-focused coping Coping types and outcomes Interaction between coping type and situation Coping adaptability Flexibility as a personal resource How does coping adaptability relate to a transactional model of stress? Measuring coping adaptability Situation specific measurement Measuring coping adaptability as a trait Why is coping adaptability important for military recruits? Research implications for this study Appraisals and coping adaptability Appraisals and perceived performance Coping adaptability and outcomes Coping adaptability as a mediating variable Chapter summary Chapter Self-efficacy Social Cognitive Theory Self-efficacy Determinants of self-efficacy Differentiation from self-esteem Self-efficacy and performance The generality of self-efficacy Self-efficacy and the stress process Research implications for this study Self-efficacy and appraisals Self-efficacy and coping Self-efficacy and organisational outcome variables Self-efficacy as a moderating variable Self-efficacy as a mediating variable IV

7 Self-efficacy as a determinant of appraisal Chapter summary Chapter Method Overview Ethics Participants Procedure Questionnaire Materials General self-efficacy Cognitive appraisal Coping adaptability Organisational Comrnitment Perceived Performance improvement Readiness for next phase of career Data Analysis Chapter Seven Results Descriptive statistics Hypothesis testing Correlations Coping adaptability as a mediator Self-efficacy as a moderator Self-efficacy as a mediator Self-efficacy as a determinant of appraisal Chapter Eight Discussion Findings Research aim: Confirmation of transactional model Research aim: Exploration into the place of general self-efficacy in the model Limitations Areas for future research Practical implications Increasing general self-efficacy Influencing appraisal Improving coping adaptability V

8 Conclusion References VI

9 List of Tables Table 1. Means and standard deviations Table 2. Correlations (Pearson's) Table 3. Correlations (Spearrnan's) Table 4. Coping adaptability as a mediator of the challenge appraisal - org commitment relationship Table 5. Coping adaptability as a mediator of the challenge appraisal - readiness relationship Table 6. Self-efficacy as a moderator of the challenge appraisal - coping adaptability relationship Table 7. Self-efficacy as a moderator of the threat appraisal - coping adaptability relationship Table 8. Self-efficacy as a mediator of the challenge appraisal - coping adaptability relationship Table 9. Challenge appraisal as a mediator of the self-efficacy - coping adaptability relationship Table 10. Threat appraisal as a mediator of the self-efficacy - coping adaptability relationship Vll

10 List of Figures Figure 1. Transactional model of stress (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984)... 9 Figure 2. Amended model Figure 3. Coping adaptability as a mediating variable Figure 4. Self-efficacy as a moderating variable...47 Figure 5. Self-efficacy as a mediating variable...48 Figure 6. Self-efficacy as a determinant of appraisal Figure 7. Mediation model (Baron & Kenny, 1986) Figure 8. Moderation model (Baron & Kenny, 1986) Figure 9. Final model of significant relationships viii