How self-efficacy shapes professional identity: the mediating role of meaning in life and self-esteem in pre-service physical education teachers

The findings highlight the psychological pathways through which self-efficacy shapes professional identity in pre-service PE teachers. Enhancing teacher training programs to foster self-efficacy, promote a sense of meaning, and strengthen self-esteem may be critical for developing a stable and positive professional identity. These insights provide practical implications for improving teacher education and reducing attrition in the field of physical education.