The Impact of Resource Scarcity on Self-Efficacy: The Mediating Role of Perceived Control

This study aimed to test the mediating effect of perceived resource scarcity to determine whether perceived resource scarcity reduces one's sense of control over one's personal and personal life and whether this reduced sense of control has a negative effect on self-efficacy. Data were collected from 400 adults and the paths between perceived resource scarcity, perceived control, and self-efficacy were analysed. In addition, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) of the perceived resource scarcity scale and a one-way ANOVA to examine whether perceived resource scarcity differs across age groups. The results showed that the three factors of the perceived scarcity scale were confirmed and only material scarcity showed significant generational differences. In particular, among the three factors of perceived scarcity, psychological scarcity was significant with a partial mediation effect, material scarcity was significant only with a full mediation effect, and time scarcity was significant only with a direct effect. The significance of this study is that it not only examines the psychological impact of perceived resource scarcity, but also the mechanisms through which it reduces self-efficacy. Finally, limitations and future research directions are presented.