The effect of perceived stress on life satisfaction : The mediating effect of self-efficacy.

Lazarus and Folkman's theory of cognitive appraisal of coping inspired the present study to test a mediation model examining the effects of self-efficacy on the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction. A total of 282 Korean undergraduate students participated in the present study. Perceived Stress Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Self Efficacy Scale were used for this study. A series of hierarchical regressions investigated the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction. Results indicated that there was a partial mediation effect of self-efficacy on the relation between perceived stress and life satisfaction. The results supported the mediation of secondary cognitive appraisal (i.e., self-efficacy) on the relationship between primary cognitive appraisal (i.e., perceived stress) and life satisfaction among South Korean college students. Implications of the present study and future research suggestions are discussed.