Cross-lagged associations and developmental trajectories of coping, self-efficacy, and college adaptation among Chinese university freshmen: a three-wave longitudinal study

Abstract Background Adjustment to college is important for students' academic performance and mental health. Previous researches have examined the effects of self-efficacy and coping on college adaptation, but their interplay and developmental trajectories over time remain unclear. Accordingly, the current study examined the prospective cross-lagged associations among general self-efficacy, positive coping, negative coping, and college adaptation, together with the developmental trajectories and coupled changes of these variables. Methods The Chinese College Student Adjustment Scale (CCSAS), the Chinese version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were administered to 766 Chinese university freshmen at three timepoints: 3 days, 1 month and 3 months after enrollment. Cross-lagged panel models and latent growth models were used to examine prospective associations and developmental linkages among college adaptation, general self-efficacy, and positive and negative coping. Results The results showed that (a) while only one nonreplicated early path emerged from general self-efficacy to subsequent college adaptation, college adaptation positively predicted subsequent positive coping and general self-efficacy across both intervals; (b) college adaptation increased slightly, whereas positive coping decreased slightly across the first 3 months in college; and (c) the initial levels of positive coping and college adaptation were positively associated, the rates of change of college adaptation and positive coping were positively associated. Conclusions These findings clarify the longitudinal relationships between self-efficacy, adaptation should not be regarded only as an outcome of self-efficacy and coping, but may also serve as an experiential source of competence beliefs and coping adjustment, notably, compared with initial positive coping, changes in positive coping were more predictive of changes in adaptation.