Social Support and Mental Health among Iranian Women: Mediation Role of Self-Efficacy

Objective: This research explores the impact of perceived social support on the mental health of Iranian women, with self-efficacy serving as a mediating factor. Methods: Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the hypothesized relationships between the variables. A sample of 750 Iranian women was selected through convenience sampling. Data collection involved the use of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Results: The findings indicated that the model exhibited acceptable fit indices, with self-efficacy partially mediating the relationship between social support and mental health, explaining 22% of the variance in mental health. The results showed significant positive relationships between social support and mental health, social support and self-efficacy, as well as self-efficacy and mental health (p < 0.05). Additionally, the indirect effect of social support on mental health through self-efficacy was significant, as determined by the bootstrap method (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of enhancing self-efficacy as a mediator to improve mental health outcomes for women, thereby emphasizing the need for social support interventions.