The role of cognitive mediators in heterosocial anxiety: A test of self-efficacy theory

The present study examined the ability of the self-efficacy construct to account for motoric, self-report, and physiological responses evidenced in the treatment of a clinically prevalent fear, and the accuracy of the theory in predicting generalization effects and perseverance when confronted with obstacles and aversive events. Prior to and immediately after treatment, heterosocially anxious males completed ratings of efficacy expectations and several self-report inventories, and participated in a role-play assessment that provided estimates of motoric and physiological responses to simulated heterosocial encounters. Perceived efficacy was found to be a sensitive indicator of self-reports of anxiety, of motoric performance on targeted and generalization tasks, and of the degree of coping behavior displayed in the face of mildly aversive stimuli. Contrary to the theoretical contentions, no correspondence was obtained between performance change and fluctuations in efficacy strength from pre- to posttreatment assessments, nor was any systematic relationship detected between efficacy and arousal. Problematic features associated with conducting adequate tests of the validity of certain predictions espoused by self-efficacy theory are discussed.