The determination of self-esteem, self-efficacy and ...esteem and achievement motivation cannot significantly increase the prediction power of the participants’quality of life.The

ijcrb.webs.com

INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS

COPY RIGHT © 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 447

JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

The determination of self-esteem, self-efficacy and achievement

motivation measures in predicting women’s quality of life

Maryam Razaviyayn, Zahra padash, Dr Azam Moradi

MA in Clinical Psychology

M. A, In family counseling, Department of Psychology, University of Isfahan, Iran.

Faculty member, department of Psychology, Shahrekord Payame Noor University

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the measure of self-esteem, self-efficacy and

achievement motivation variables in predicting women’s quality of life in Isfahan. Method:

The research samples included 160 female citizens of Isfahan who referred to 5 selected

public libraries of Isfahan in 2010. In order to assess the quality of life the World Health

Organization’s Quality Of Life brief questionnaire, to measure up self-esteem the

Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale, to assess the self-efficacy Schwarzer and Jerusalem self-

efficacy scale, to assess achievement motivation, Hermens’ achievement motivation

questionnaire and to calculate demographic features a researcher-made questionnaire have

been applied. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and stepwise regression

analysis. The results of stepwise regression analysis proved that the self-esteem can

significantly predict the participants’ quality of life (P=0.00) and adding achievement

motivation variable to self-esteem can significantly increase the prediction power of women’s

quality of life in Isfahan (P=0.002), however adding the variable of self-efficacy to the self-

esteem and achievement motivation cannot significantly increase the prediction power of the

participants’quality of life.The variables of self-esteem and achievement motivation play an

important role in explaining women’s quality of life in Isfahan.

Key words: Quality of life, self-esteem, self-efficacy, achievement motivation, women,

Isfahan

Introduction:

World Health Organization considers “health” as a state wherein a person is healthy

regarding psychological, affective and social aspects and there cannot be observed any kind

of disease and psychoneurosis (cited from Saxena and Oconnell, 2002). The above definition

implies that in order to assess the health, just the traditional indices of the rate of “mortality”

and “morbidity” should not be taken into account, otherwise it is the quality of life which

should be (Saxena and Oconnell, 2002).

The history of the concept of quality of life dated back to Aristotle’s in that era Aristotle has

assumed “good life” and “doing the tasks well” as the synonym of happiness. But he has

stated explicitly that not only the happiness has different meanings for various people, but

also it will not have the same meaning for a person in different situations. After all, at that

time the happiness or living happily was assumed as the equivalent of what is now called the

quality of life. However the term “quality of life” has not been used since twentieth century.

Gradually the researchers understood that the quality of life can be one of the significant

consequences while assessing health, as WHO’s definition of health stresses it (Fayers and

Machin, 2000).

According to WHO’s definition, the quality of life is the people’s comprehension from their

condition in life based on culture, the value system wherein they live, their goals and

expectations, standards and priorities. Therefore, the quality of life is a solely a mental issue

and is not observable by the others, it is founded on the person’s understanding from various

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

aspects of life (Bonomi, Patrick, Bushnell and Martin, 2000; WHOQOL, 1996). In this

definition the quality of life is a pervasive concept which is affected by physical health,

personal growth, psychological states, independency level, social relationships, and

communication with prominent institutions of environment and it is based on the person’s

impression. In fact the quality of life is a range including objective and subjective aspects

interacting with each other. From another view quality of life is a dynamic concept, since the

values and self-assessments may change in the passage of time reacting to the life’s events

and experiences as well as health condition. Moreover every domain of quality of life can

affect outstandingly on other domains (Newa Chek and Taylor, 1992). So it is a complex and

multiple issue (Leu, 1985).

Quality of life theory constitutes apt features with mediator variables (vulnerabilities) (Denny

and Frisch, 1981; Frisch and McCord, 1987) which can increase the probability of

unhappiness and low satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) from the life. Supportive factors or

“immunities” against dissatisfaction include opposite factors to vulnerabilities or risk factors.

The studies have proved the proposed “vulnerabilities” in quality of life theory (e.g. Diener,

Diener, Tamir, Kim-Prieto, and Scollon, 2003; Barlow, 2002; Seligman, 2002; Snyder and

Lopez, 2002; Clark and Beck, 1999; cited from Frisch, 2006).

In quality of life theory among personal apt features of dissatisfaction from the life or

vulnerabilities are low self-esteem and low self-efficacy (Frisch, 2006 :33) and the feeling of

laggardness and stagnancy in valuable domains of life (Frisch, 2007:18) and not actually

having the achievement motivation.

Self-esteem is the degree of value a person considers for himself (Weare, 2000)

Self-efficacy includes the person’s strict belief to successfully perform the required specific

behavior to get to the interested result (Bandura, 1997).

The achievement motivation is defined as the personal attempt to get to the goals in his/her

social milieu (Elliot and Church, 1997).

It was such proposed that the self-esteem, skill, the feeling of control and self-efficacy are

important adjusting and predicting factors in life quality (Hansson, Middelboe, Mernider,

Bjarnason, 1999; Barry and Zissis, 1997; Kentros, Terkelson Hull, Smith and Goodman,

1997).

Self-esteem is within the most significant aspects of personality and it determines behavioral

features (Sadrossadat, 2000) as well as human’s development, as most of the specialists

assume it an important and basic factor in affective and social adjustment (Lee, 1994).

Judge, Locke and Durham (1997) agree that the people who believe in their ability to call up

the needed motivation, cognitive sources and required actions in order to exercise general

control on the life events, i.e. their self-efficacy is high, are more satisfied with their life

comparing to those who don’t believe such. Numerous researchers have understood that self-

efficacy relates to a wide range of clinical issues such as phobias, addiction, depression,

social skills, assertiveness and tenseness, etc (Pajares, 2002).

Wiegand and Geller (2004) believe that positive psychology has ignored the role of positive

reinforcement and the elements such as achievement motivation training for increasing the

quality of life.

The results of the study carried out by Murphy and Murphy (2006) showed that self-esteem

and self-efficacy are among the most salient explaining factors of quality of life in those

suffering from psychological disabilities.

According to the findings of the study by Kermode and Maclin (2001), high self-esteem is

significantly important in general indices of life quality; in the same way high positive self-

esteem and the nonexistence of low self-esteem, are effective factors in happiness aspect of

life quality. The outcomes of the research performed by May and Warren (2002) proved that

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

there is a relationship between self-esteem and the quality of life of the patients suffering

from spinal injuries.

Bent, Jones, Molloy, Chamberlain, and Tennant (2001) in an interview with 45 complex

physically disabled who were 16-28 years old perceived that the most important determinants

of the people’s participation in activities is energy, pain, the intensity of disability and self-

efficacy. The results of Tsay and Healstead’s (2002) study confirmed that after controlling

the age effect, self-efficacy is the most important predictor in life quality of hemo-dialysis

patients. In a separate study Taylor, Dean and Sigert (2006) carried out a survey on public

population and found out that general self-efficacy is strongly related to psychological

irritation. Jokes and Van Eldern (2007) in a study on patients suffering from heart disease

understood that there is a relationship between these patients’ self-efficacy and their quality

of life.

Kujerr and De Ridder (2003) found that there is a relationship between higher difference of

the goals importance and accessibility to them and lower level of life quality in patients

having asthma, diabetes, and heart stroke; moreover self-efficacy in accessing to the desired

goals mediates the above relationship.

The results of path analysis by Moradi (2009) the aim whereof was to determine the degree of

the effect of self-esteem, self-efficacy and achievement motivation on life quality in young

females suffering from physical-motor disability and to determine the mediating role of

entrepreneurship behavior in this effect, showed that the variables of self-esteem and

achievement motivation directly affect these female’s quality of life, however self-esteem

didn’t directly affect quality of life despite being relatively great its path coefficient.

The findings of the survey by Asadi Sadeghi Azar, Vasudeva and Abdollahi (2007) proved

that in the whole sample and in all three sub-groups of incumbent women in professional

vocations, incumbent women in non-professional vocations and jobless women, there is

positive relationship between life quality, being stubborn, self-efficacy and self-esteem. The

results, also, proved that three variables of being stubborn, self-efficacy and self-esteem,

respectively, are strongest predictors of life quality in the whole sample as well as in three

sub-groups.

The results of Zaki’s study (2007) stated that there is a significant relationship between self-

esteem and life quality of the students in Isfahan University.

The findings of the study carried out by Esmaeili, Alikhani, Gholam Araghi and Hoseini

(2005) proved that there is a direct relationship between life quality and self-efficacy in

patients under hemo-dialysis. Similarly in the study by Karimzade Shirazi, Razavie and Kave

(2008) conducted on incumbent teachers in different educational levels in Shahrekord, it is

found out that there is a positive relationship between the teachers’ life quality and their

vocational self-efficacy.

Now taking into account the need to assess the degree of women’s quality of life and the

importance of identifying effective factors in this group’s quality of life in the society and the

fact that relying on the research history, achievement motivation, self-efficacy and self-

esteem are among effective factors on quality of life; and due to population context and

special cultural, social and economic features of Isfahan which possibly can make the role of

some effective factors on life quality of women in this city prominent, the present study is to

answer to this question that how much the share of each of the variables of self-esteem, self-

efficacy and achievement motivation is in predicting these women’s quality of life. The

purpose of the current study includes determining the share of each of the factors of self-

esteem, self-efficacy and achievement motivation in predicting the life quality of women in

Isfahan.

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

The hypotheses of the present research are:

1. The self-esteem variable can predict the degree of women’s life quality in Isfahan.

2. Adding the self-efficacy variable to self-esteem variable would increase the power of

predicting women’s quality of life in Isfahan.

3. Adding the achievement motivation variable to variables of self-esteem and self-efficacy

would increase the power of predicting women’s quality of life in Isfahan.

Method:

Research design:

The design of the present study is a predictive correlational one.

Statistical population, sample and sampling method

The statistical population of the present study were women referring to 5 public libraries in

summer of 2010 who were selected from public library list in Isfahan. The samples of the

study were 160 from cited population chosen through accessible method. From 160 rendered

questionnaires 114 were completely filled out.

Table 1 the number of the participants shows different levels of investigated demographic

variables.

Table 1: The number of participants of different levels of demographic variables

frequency percentage

Vocational status

having governmental

vocation 13 11.4

having non-

governmental vocation 13 11.4

jobless 88 77.2

Marital status married 17 85.1

single 97 14.9

Education level

diploma 35 30.7

sophomore 9 7.9

bachelor degree 49 43

Economic status

post graduate 21 18.4

weak 3 2.6

medium 92 80.7

good 19 16.7

Age mean 25.30

Instrument

The present study has applied the demographic feature questionnaire, brief form of WHO’s

Quality Of Life questionnaire, Rosenberg’s self-esteem questionnaire, Schwarzer and

Jerusalem self-efficacy questionnaire and Hermans achievement motivation questionnaire

which will be described at length in following parts.

1. demographic features questionnaire

Demographic features questionnaire was composed of the questions regarding vocational

status, marital status, educational level, birth year, and economic status (weak, medium, and

good).

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

2. WHO’s brief form of Quality Of Life Questionnaire was composed via combining some

domains and omitting some questions from WHOQOL-100. The studies indicated that these

two forms of the questionnaire have satisfying harmony. WHOQOL-BREF would measure 4

domains of physical health, psychological health, social relations and health of the

environment and it has 26 questions wherein 2 first were general questions and it does not

have anything in common with domains (Bonomi et.al, 2000). This questionnaire has been

standardized by Nejat, Montazeri, Halakooei Naeini, Mohammad and Majdzade (2006).

Nejat and his cooperators have reported its content diagnostic validity as suitable and

measured its test-retest reliability, in order, 0.77, 5.77, 0..07 and 0.84 for physical health,

psychological health, social relations and the health of the environment and calculated

internal consistency of its different domains via Cronbach alpha method 0.52- 0.84 for

healthy and sick individuals.

It is worth mentioning that since in analyzing factors proposed by Nejat et.al (2006) the

correlation between all 3 questions in social relations subscale with this subscale was lower

than its correlation with other subscales and the estimated Cronbach alpha for it has also been

reported low just as the same as other studies (0.52 for sick people and 0.55 for healthy

people) and in the research conducted by Moradi (2010), in the same way, its internal

consistency was measured 0.60, therefore the above questionnaire includes 3 subscales

(physical health, psychological health and the health of the environment). In the study carried

out by Moradi (2010) the reliability of WHOQOL-BREF was calculated 0.92 through

Cronbach alpha and that of physical health subscale 0.77, psychological health 0.81 and the

health of environment subscale 0.73.

3. Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale

Rosenberg’s 10 item scale is scored through Likert scale, which is one of high fame

instrument to assess internal aspects of self-esteem (Nosek et.al, 2003). Blascovich and

Tomaka (1991) in reviewing the studies printed in case of self-esteem perceived that in 25%

of these studies, Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale was applied. It is interesting because of its

shortness and simplicity (Murphy and Murphy, 2006). It is a simple and short questionnaire

having appropriate or suitable reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and validity

(convergent and divergent) and it is applicable for every age group with education of fifth

grade (Rosenberg, 1979). In sum, the results of various studies (e.g. Whiteside-Mensell and

Corwyn, 2003; Hujian, 2003; Greenberger, Chen, Dmitrieva and Farruggia, 2003; Weiss,

2002) have proved the reliability and validity of Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale.

The findings of the study carried out by Schmitt and Allik (2005) on people living in 53

countries, in almost all of them the scores of Rosenberg’s self-esteem relates to neuroticism

and romantic attachment style.

The above questionnaire was normalized by Shapoorian et.al (1987) and Rajabi and Bohlool

(2007). The results of the study by Mohammadi (2005) indicated that the correlation of form

B of Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale with Cooper Smith self-esteem scale is 0.61 and subscales

of depression and anxiety of revised form of SCL-90 are -0.54 and -0.43. In Moradi’s survey

(2000) the reliability of Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale was estimated 0.69 through

administering it on 30 members of disabled society in Isfahan and via Cronbach alpha.

4. general self-efficacy scale

The general 10 item scale of self-efficacy in 2002 was designed by Schwarzer and Jerusalem

(cited from Schwrzer and Jerusalem, 1995). The participants should recognize the degree of

each item’s truth regarding themselves in a four-degree scale from 1 (it is not true) to (it is

completely true). The more the scores are, the higher the general feeling of the person’s self-

efficacy will be (Rajabi, 2006).

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

Now the previously discussed scale is applied for predicting the adjustment after life change

and for assessing the effectiveness of clinical affairs and making changes in the behavior

(Asadi Sadeghi Azar et.al. 2006).

For German version of general self-efficacy scale, upper range of internal consistency (0.82-

0.93) and test-retest reliability was reported to be high (Schwarzes, 1994). Schools et.al

(2002) have also reported a high internal consistency for this scale. test-retest reliability of

general self-efficacy scale achieved through administering on 5 various samples in a six-

month period was 0.67, in a one-year period 0.5 to 0.70 and in a two-year period from 0.47 to

0.63 (cited from Wu, 2009).

The estimated concurrent validity and the criterion-related validity for the scale of general

self-efficacy have been reported suitable in different studies (e.g. Schwarzer, Schmmits and

Tang, 2000; Schwarzer, Babler, Kwiatek, Schroder and Zhang, 1997; Schwrzer and

Jerusalem, 1979; and Rajabi, 2006).

In a survey carried out by Moradi (2000) the reliability of general self-efficacy scale was

measured 0.92 through administering on 30 members of disabled society in Isfahan via

Cronbach alpha method.

5. Hermans achievement motivation questionnaire

This questionnaire was made up in the form of 29 incomplete sentences by Hermans (1970)

and each of them was followed by 3 or 4 options ranging from “I completely agree” to “I

totally disagree”. Getting high scores in this questionnaire would imply having high

achievement motivation (cited from Talebpour, Nouri and Mowlavi, 2002).

The achieved reliability for the achievement motivation questionnaire in various studies was

reported suitable (e.g. Hermans, 1970; Asvadi, 2000; Talebpour et.al., 2002; Shokrkob,

Boroumand Nasab, Najjarian and Shahni Yeilagh, 2002).

Moreover Hermans (1970) perceived suitable the concurrent and content validity in

achievement motivation questionnaire. He has assessed diagnosing reliability of its questions

from 0.3 to 0.57 (cited from Talebpoor et.al. 2002). Achievement motivation questionnaire

was rendered into Persian and normalized by Shokrkon et.al. (2002), one of its items has been

deleted.

In a survey by Moradi (2010) the reliability of Herman’s achievement motivation

questionnaire was measured 0.71 through administering on 30 members of disables society

Isfahan via Cronbach alpha method.

Method

After choosing the samples, the selected public libraries of Isfahan were referred to.

Following some agreements with principals of each library, the questionnaires were given to

the subjects informing them how to fill them out as well as emphasizing them regarding

confidentiality of their information. 114 out of 160 questionnaires have been filled out

completely.

Data analysis

In order to analyze the data the indices of frequency, mean and standard deviation from

descriptive statistics and step-by-step regression in inferential statistics have been used. In

step-by-step regression the scores of WHO’s Quality Of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-

BREF) were analyzed as predicting (dependent) variable and their mean scores in each 3

questionnaires of Rosenberg’s self-esteem, Schwarzer and Jerusalem self-efficacy and

Herman’s achievement motivation as predictor (independent) variable.

Results

In this part, first to the descriptive statistics indices investigated are pointed out; afterwards

the results from stepwise regression are rendered.

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

Table 2 depicts descriptive statistics indices of the scores from women’s quality of life, self-

esteem, self-efficacy and achievement motivation and table 3 shows the descriptive statistics

indices of the scores from women’s quality of life according to different demographic

features.

Table 2: The descriptive statistics indices of the scored of the women’s quality of life,

self-esteem, self-efficacy and achievement motivation

statistical

indices

variable

mean standard

deviation range maximum minimum Number

life quality 86.96 13.02 60 114 54 114

self-esteem 29.24 5.73 29 39 10 114

self-efficacy 31.15 5.97 25 40 15 114

achievement

motivation 74.46 6.15 28 88 60 114

Table 3: The descriptive statistics indices of the scores from the participants’ quality of

life according to different demographic features

Mean standard

deviation

Vocational status

having governmental

vocation 87.38 18.60

having non-

governmental vocation 87.30 6.11

jobless 86.85 12.94

Marital status married 93.88 9.25

single 85.75 13.25

Education level

diploma 82.2 11.34

sophomore 91.44 11.67

bachelor 88.02 12.90

postgraduate 90.52 14.87

Economic status

weak 67.33 1.15

medium 86.66 13.36

good 91.52 8.73

Table 2 shows that the mean scores of quality of life, their self-esteem, their self-efficacy and

their achievement motivation were sequentially 86.96, 29.24, 31.15 and 74.46.

The results of table 3 implies that the employed women’s quality of life is a little higher than

unemployed women, that of married women higher than single ones, that of sophomore

women higher than other educations and that of good economical status higher is than

medium and low economic status.

Table 4 indicates internal consistency matrix between self-esteem, self-efficacy and

achievement motivation and female citizen’s life quality.

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

Table 4: Internal consistency matrix between self-esteem, self-efficacy and achievement

motivation and quality of life.

factors self-esteem self-efficacy achievement

motivation

self-efficacy 0.58***

achievement

motivation 0.38

*** 0.49

***

quality of life 0.49***

0.38***

0.42***

*P<0.05 **P<0.01 ***P<0.001

As it is clear from the information of the matrix, there is a significant relationship between

quality of life on the one hand and self-esteem, self-efficacy and women’s achievement

motivation scores on the other (P=0.00). Moreover, there is a significant relationship between

the variables of self-esteem and self-efficacy, self-esteem and achievement motivation, and

also self-efficacy and achievement motivation (P=0.00).

Table 5:Regression analysis of life quality variable on the variables of self-esteem, self-

efficacy and achievement motivation.

Indices

???

sum of

the

squares

degree of

freedom

square

mean F

significant

level

Self-esteem regression 4628.16 1 4628.16

35.62 0.00 residual 14553.70 112 129.94

Achievement

motivation

regression 5820.89 2 2910.44 24.18 0.00

residual 13360.97 111 120.37

The results of table 5 show that self-esteem and achievement motivation were interred into

regression analysis equation and self-efficacy was deleted from it. The above results indicate

that self-esteem can significantly predict the subjects’ quality of life (P=0.00), and adding

achievement motivation variable to self-esteem has the power to significantly predict the

participants’ quality of life (P=0.002), however adding self-efficacy variable to self-esteem

and achievement motivation cannot significantly increase the prediction power of women’s

quality of life in Isfahan, therefore this variable would be omitted from the equation.

Table 6 shows the determinant coefficient and standard error of measurement in

regression analysis of life quality variable on self-esteem, self-efficacy and achievement

motivation

Indices

variable

R R2 standard error of

measurement

self-esteem 0.49 0.24 11.40

achievement

motivation 0.55 0.30 10.97

As it can be observed from table 6, when the self-esteem variable is interred into the equation

its coefficient square would be 0.24. i.e. in women 0.24 of variance between self-esteem and

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

quality of life scores are in common, or to put it another way 24% of the changes in quality of

life scores relates to the scores from self-esteem. When the achievement motivation is added

to self-esteem variable, the amount of correlation square reaches to 0.30, that is in women

0.06 of variance between the scores of achievement motivation and life quality is common, or

to tell it another way, 6% of the changes in the scores of quality of life relates to the scores of

achievement motivation.

Table 7 shows raw and standard regression coefficient of self-esteem and achievement

motivation and their significance

Indices

variable

raw coefficient standard

coefficient t significance

standard error Beta

self esteem 1.12 0.187 0.491 5.97 0.00

self esteem 0.88 0.195 0.388 4.52 0.00

achievement

motivation 0.57 0.182 0.270 3.15 0.002

The results of table 7 implying the significance of regression coefficient in self-esteem and

achievement motivation, indicates that the absolute effect of self-esteem and achievement

motivation on quality of life is also significant.

Table 8 shows Beta coefficients, the amount of t and their significance and partial correlation

of omitted variables from regression equation.

Table 8: Beta coefficient, the amount of t and its significance and partial correlation of

omitted variables from regression equation

indices

variables

Beta

coefficient t significance level partial correlation

self-efficacy 0.040 0.381 0.704 0.036

The results of table 8 represents that the significance of regression coefficient in self-efficacy

was more than 0.05, therefore it was not interred into equation, i.e. this variable could not

significantly increase the prediction power of women’s quality of life.

Discussion and conclusion

The results of the present study indicated that there is a significant relationship between

women’s scores of life quality and self-esteem, their scores of self-efficacy and achievement

motivation. According to these results self-esteem could significantly predict the participants’

quality of life and adding the variable of achievement motivation to the variable of self-

esteem would increase the prediction power of the participants’ quality of life, but adding the

variable of self-efficacy to variables of self-esteem and achievement motivation could not

significantly increase the participants’ quality of life. The findings of the current study is in

accordance with the survey conducted by Mir Moradi (2010), however it somehow agrees

with the results of Murphy and Murphy (2006) and Asadi Sadeghi Azar et.al. (2006).

The results of this study in case of self-esteem in predicting women’s quality of life is in

agreement with that of Kermode and Maclin (2001) proving the fact that high self-esteem has

outstanding importance in general indices of life quality; and high positive self-esteem and

the nonexistence of low self-esteem are important factors in the aspect of happiness in quality

of life. It also conforms with the results of the study by May and Warren (2002) on being a

direct relationship between self-esteem and quality of life in those suffering from spinal

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

injuries and in the same way with the results of the path analysis carried out by Moradi

(2010) showing that self esteem variable directly affects the quality of life of those young

women who suffer from physical-motor disability and the finding of the survey by zaki

(2007) on being a significant relationship between self-esteem and quality of life in the

students of Isfahan University.

The results of the present study on direct effect of self-esteem on women’s quality of life in

Isfahan, would accentuate this assumption of life quality hypothesis among the apt personal

features of dissatisfaction from life is low self-esteem (Frisch, 2006). Keller (1987, cited from

Lee, 2005) assumes self-esteem as one of predictors of quality of life. Self-esteem is often

considered as an individual source which adjusts the effect of threatening happenings and

conditions. The degree of self-esteem plays an important role in determining the person’s

longing and satisfaction (Oliver et.al. 1996). Self-acceptance and self-satisfaction closely

relates to satisfaction and happiness in life (Frisch, 2006). Research has shown that self-

esteem is the best predictor of life satisfaction (Diener and Diener, 1995; Lewinsohn, Render

and Seeley, 1991; Sekaran, 1986). Life satisfaction, in itself, would lead to better physical

and mental health which are two important constituents in quality of life. Self-esteem helps in

overcoming negative experiences and it leads to success. Such success, also, assists the

person to have good experiences in life (Sekaran, 1986). Moreover it seems that those who

see themselves positively incline to assume life events positively and therefore they can have

high life satisfaction.

The results of the current study in case of disability of self-efficacy in predicting women’s

quality of life in Isfahan was in agreement with the survey carried out by Tsay, and

Healstead (2002) indicating that after controlling the age effect, self-efficacy is the most

important predictor of quality of life in Hemo-dialyzed patients. The results of the study by

Taylor et.al. (2006) regarding strong relationship between general self-efficacy and

psychological irritation in public do not agree with the findings of the study by Middleton

et.al (2007) which indicted that in those suffering from spinal injuries in Australia, low self-

efficacy and the intensity of pain would decrease the quality of life in all domains of SF-36

and the results of path analysis of Motl, and Snook (2008) in which those suffering from

multiple skelleros, more self-efficacy for acting and control more intensely relates with

quality of life, but it conforms with the findings of the path analysis by Moradi (2010) which

proved that despite being relatively great its path coefficient, self-efficacy does not directly

relate to the quality of life.

Of course according to the results of the present study, there is a significant relationship

between self-efficacy and women’s quality of life, but due to strong relationship between

self-esteem and achievement motivation and variable of self-efficacy, the impression of this

variable affects women’s quality of life, that is, not being significant the regression

coefficients for self-efficacy is not because of this variable’s essential ineffectiveness or its

low effect, otherwise through interring a collection of variables in regression equation the

effect of self-efficacy on the quality of life of female citizens would decrease profoundly.

The findings of the current study in case of ability of achievement motivation in predicting

women’s quality of life is in agreement with the results of the study carried out by Kuijer and

Ridder (2003) indicating that in patients suffering from asthma, diabetes, and heart stroke the

greater difference between the goals importance and accessibility to them relates to lower

level of life quality and so does it regarding the results of path analysis by Moradi (2010)

which proved that the achievement motivation variable directly affects the quality of life of

young women suffering from physical-motor disability.

The results of this study in case of the ability of achievement motivation in predicting

women’s quality of life in Isfahan would accentuate this assumption of life quality which is

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

among personal features prone to life dissatisfaction, the feeling of laggardness and

stagnancy in valuable fields of life (Frisch, 2006:18) and not actually having achievement

motivation.

Some researchers have emphasized the role of personal goals and related structures in

assessing people from their quality of life. In Calman’s (1984) view the quality of life would

measure the distance between the person’s hopes, dreams, and wishes and his/her experiences

or facts. People are usually motivated to lessen this distance. Carr et.al. (2001) have applied

Calman’s definition to propose a model of quality of life according to the distance between

expectations and real experiences. Cella, and Tulsky (1990), too, introduces the fact that the

quality of life points to the person’s assessment from his present condition comparing to what

perceived as possible or ideal. The basic element in all these definitions is that it is supposed

that the quality of life includes some mental assessments regarding getting to the goals.

Moreover the basic assumption of motivational theories in case of wellbeing and personal

goals is that successful follow up of meaningful goals, plays an outstanding role in creating

and continuity of psychological wellbeing (cited from Bronstein, 1993).

From another view, the people with high achievement motivation have features such as the

feeling of control on life, the preference for challenging actions (Tokreld, 2000 Seif, 2000),

being internal the source of control and consequently the increase of perseverance to continue

working after defeat (Winner, cited in Tokreld, 2000; Seif, 2000) which increase the

probability of following up the goals and reaching to success. Naturally these goals include

promoting different parts and domains of quality of life. This phenomenon is reverse in

people with low achievement motivation.

Among limitations of the current study which can be pointed out is the inability to generalize

the findings to men in Isfahan and residents of others parts of the country. According to the

above fact, it is proposed that similar study would be carried out on men in Isfahan and

residents of other parts of the country in order to make the probable role of gender and

residency clear.

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

References

Asadi Sadeghi Azar,I., Vasudeva, P., and Abdollahi,A.(2006). Relationship between quality

of life, hardiness, self-efficacy and self-esteem amongst employed and unemployed

married women in Zabol. Iran Journal Psychiatry ,1, 104-111.

Asvadi, M. (2000). The effectiveness of Bach’s therapeutic in group work method on the

increase of achievement motivation in high school students in the town of Gaz. MA

thesis of advising, Allame Tabatabei University, faculty of behavioral sciences.

Bandura,A.(1997).Self-efficacy: The exercise of control .New York: Freeman.

Barry,M, M., and Zissis, A.(1997).Quality of life as an out come measure in evaluating

mental health services: A review of the empirical evidence. Social Psychiatry and

Psychiatric Epidemiology,32,38-47.

Bent,N., Jones,A., Molloy,I., Chamberlain,A., and Tennant,A.(2001). Factors determining

participation in young adults with a physical disability: a pilot study. Clinical

Rehabilitation,15,552-561.

Blascovich,J., and Tomaka, J.(1991). Measures of self esteem. In J.P. Robinson and

P.R.Shaver(Eds.), Measures of Journal of Personality and Social Psychological

attitudes(pp.115-160). San Diego, CA; Academic Press.

Bonomi,A.E., Patrick , D.L., Bushnell,D.M., and Martin,M.(2000). Validation of the United

States' version of the world Health Organization Quality of Life(WOQOL) instrument

.Journal of Clinical Epidemiologyl,53,1,19-23.

Brunstein, J.C. (1993). Personal goals and subjective well-being: a longitudinal study. Journal

of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 1061–1070.

Calman, K.C. (1984). Quality of life in cancer patients – an hypothesis. Journal of Medical

Ethics, 10, 124–127.

Carr, A.J., Gibson, B. and Robinson, P.G. (2001). Measuring quality of life: is quality of life

determined by expectations or experience? British Medical Journal, 322, 1240–1243.

Cella, D.F. and Tulsky, D.S. (1990). Measuring quality of life today: methodological aspects.

Oncology, 4, 29–39.

Denney,D.R. and Frisch,M.B.(1981). The role of neuroticism in relation to life stress and

illness. Journal of Psychosomatic Research,25 , 303-307.

Diener,E., and Diener,M.(1995). Cross-Cultural correlates of life satisfaction and self-esteem.

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,68,653-663.

Elliot,A. J., and Church,M.(1997). A hierarchical model of approach and avoidance

achievement motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,72,1, 218-232.

Esmaeili, M. Alikhani, M. Gholam Araghi, M. and Hoseini, F. (2005). The quality of life and

its relation with self-efficacy in under hemodialysis patients. Iran Nursing Periodical,

18(41-42), 77-84.

Fayers,P.M., and Machin,D.(2000). Quality of life assessment, analysis and interpretation.

John Willy, New York.

Frisch,M.B.(2006). Quality of life of therapy: Applying life satisfaction approach to positive

psychology and cognitive therapy. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons.

Frisch,M.B., and McCord,M.(1987). Sex role orientation and social skill: A naturalistic

assessment of assertion and conversational skill. Sex Roles,17,437-448.

Greenberger,E., Chen,C., Dmitrieva,J., and Farruggia,S.P.(2003). Item- Wording and

dimensionality of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale: Do they matter? Personality and

Individual Differences, 35,6, 1241-1254.

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

Hansson,L., Middelboe ,T., Mernider,L., and Bjarnason, O. (1999). Predictor of subjective

quality of life in schizophrenic patient living in community. A Nordic multicetre study.

The International Journal of Psychiatry,45,247-258.

Hujian,C.(2003).The effect of implicit self-esteem and the relationship of explicit self-esteem

and implicit self-esteem. Acta Psychologica Sinica,35,6,796-801.

Jerusalem,m., and Schwarzer,R.(1979). The general self-efficacy scale(GSE).[Updated 2006

Oct 7]. Available from :Http://www. Healthpsych.de.

Joekes,K.,van Eldern,T., and Schreurs,K.(2007).Self-efficacy and overprotection are related

to quality of life, psychological well-being and self-management in cardiac patients.

Journal of Health Psychology,12,1,4-16.

Judge,T.A., Locke,E.A., and Durham,C.C.(1997).The dispositional causes of job satisfaction

:A core evaluations approach. Research in Organizational Behavior,19,151-188.

Karimzade Shirazi, M. Razavie, A. and Kave, M. H. (2007). the relationship between quality

of life and self-efficacy of teachers working in Shahrekord. Journal of Shahrekord

Medical Science University. 10, 1, 28-35.

Kentros,M.K., Terkelsen ,K., Hull,J., Smith, T.E., and Goodman,M. (1997). The relationship

between personality and quality of life in persons with schizoaffective disorder and

schizophrenia . Qulity of Life Research, 6, 118-122.

Kermode,S., and Maclin,D.(2001). A study of the relationship between quality of life, health

and self-esteem. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing,19,2, 33-40.

Kuijer,R.G., and De Ridder,D.T.D.(2003).Discrepancy in illness-related goals and quality of

life in chronically ill patients: The role of self-efficacy. Psychology and Health,18,3,

313–330.

Lee, M.(1994). Change in personality. Translated by: Mansour M. Tehran: Tehran University

Press.

Lee,J.W.(2005). Gender roles. Nova Publishers.

Lennings,C.J.(1994).An evaluation of a generalized self-efficacy scale.

Personality and Individual Differences, 16, 5, 745-750.

Leu,R.w.(1985).Economic evaluation of new drug therapies in terms of improved life quality.

Special Issue: Drugs and Moods. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,45,1313-

1324.

Lewinsohn,P.M., Render,E., and Seeley,J.R. (1991).The relationship between life satisfaction

and psychosocial variables: New perspectives. In: Strack F, Argyle M, Schwarz N, eds.

Subjective well-being: An interdisciplinary perspective. New York: Pergamon Press; p.

193-212.

May,L., and Warren,S.(2002). Measuring quality of life in persons with spinal cord injury:

external and structural validity. Spinal Cord,40, 341-350.

Mohammadi, N. (2005). Preliminary investigation of validity and reliability of Rosenberg’s

self-reverence scale. Periodical of Iranian psychologists. first year.4. 313-320.

Moradi, A. (2000). The effect of self-esteem, self-efficacy and achievement motivation on the

quality of life and entrepreneurship behavior of young women: a model for physical-

motor disabled. PhD thesis of psychology. Isfahan. Isfahan University.

Motl,R.W., and Snook,E.M.(2008).Physical activity, self-efficacy and quality of life in

multiple sclerosis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine,35,1, 111-115.

Murphy,H. and Murphy,E.K.(2006).Comparing quality of life using the world health

organization quality of life measure(WHOQL-100) in a clinical and non-clinical sample:

Exploring the role of self-esteem, self-efficacy and social functioning. Journal of Mental

Health,15,3,289-300.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V9F-460RN22-29&_user=1400092&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F1994&_alid=985545633&_rdoc=15&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=5897&_sort=r&_st=4&_docanchor=&_ct=60&_acct=C000052580&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=1400092&md5=6db7b931cab01d91620ddd30c9150c06

ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

Nejat, S. Halakouei Naeini, K. M. K., Majdzade, S. R. (2006). standardizing the World

Health Organization Quality Of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF): translation and

psychometrics of Iranian type. Journal of Faculty of Hygiene and Hygienic Studies

Institute, 4.4, 1-12.

Newa Chek,P.W., and Taylor,W.R.(1992).Childhood chronic illness: Prevalence, severity

and impact. American Journal of Public Health,82,364-371.

NosekM.A.HughesR.BSwdiundN.TaylorH.B. and SwankP.(2003). Self–esteem and

women with disabilities. Social Science and Medicine5681737-1747.

NosekM.A.HughesR.BSwdiundN.TaylorH.B. and SwankP.(2003). Self–esteem and

women with disabilities. Social Science and Medicine5681737-1747.

Oliver,J.,Huxley,P., Bridges,K., and Mohamad ,H.(1996). Quality of life and mental health

services. London: Rutledge.

Pajares,F(2002).Overview of Social Cognitive Theory and Self –Eefficacy from

http://www.emory.edu/EDUcation/eff.htm/

Rajabi, Gh. (2006). investigating the reliability and validity of general self-esteem believes

scale (GSE-10) in the students of psychology. Faculty of behavioral sciences and

psychology, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz. new behavioral thoughts, 2. 1, 2, 111-

122.

Rajabi, Gh. and Bohlool, N. (2007). measuring reliability and validity of the scales of general

self-efficacy beliefs (GSE-10) in freshmen of psychology, Shahid Chamran University.

Behavioral and psychological researches.2,3, 33-48.

Rosenberg, M. (1979). Conceiving the self. New York: Basic Books.

Sadrossadat, S. J. (2000). How do we increase the self-esteem in children and adolescents.

medicine and purification. 38, 64-70.

Saxena,S., and O'Connell, K.(2002). A commentary cross-cultural quality of life assessment

at the end of life. Gemologist,42,81-85.

Schmitt,D.P., and Allik,J.(2005).Simultaneous Administration of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem

Scale in 53 Nations: Exploring the Universal and Culture-Specific Features of Global

Self-Esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 4, 623-642.

Scholz,U., Gutierrez, Doza,B., Sud,S., and Schwarzer,R.(2002). Is general self-efficacy a

universal construct ? Psychometric findings from 25 countries. European Journal of

Psychological Assessment,18, 242-251.

Schwarzer, R., and Jerusalem, M. (1995). Generalized self-efficacy scale. In S. Wright, & M.

Johnston, and J. Weinman, (Eds.), Measures in Health Psychology: A User’s Portfolio.

Causal and Control Beliefs (pp. 35–37). Windsor, UK: nferNelson.

Schwarzer, R., Bäßler, J., Kwiatek, P., Schröder, K., and Zhang, J. X. (1997). The assessment

of optimistic self-beliefs: Comparison of the German, Spanish, and Chinese versions of

the general self efficacy scale. Applied Psychology, 46,1, 69–88.

Schwarzer, R., Schmitz, G. S., and Tang, C. (2000). Teacher burnout in Hong Kong and

Germany: A cross-cultural validation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Anxiety, Stress,

and Coping, 13,3, 309–326.

Schwarzer,R.(1994).Optimism, vulnerability and self-beliefs as Health – related cognitions:

A systematic overview. Psychology and health,9,161-180.

Seif, A.A. (2000). Pedagogical psychology (learning Psychology and education). Tehran:

Agah publications.

Sekaran,U.(1986). Significant differences in quality of life factors and their correlates: A

function of differences in career orientations or gender? Sex Roles, 14, 261-279

http://www.emory.edu/EDUcation/eff.htm/

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6X01-4HJYKVC-D&_user=1400092&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F2005&_alid=985517291&_rdoc=3&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=7201&_sort=r&_st=4&_docanchor=&_ct=200&_acct=C000052580&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=1400092&md5=dc8344b8d5cb710a898526239642afaf



ijcrb.webs.com



JUNE 2012

VOL 4, NO 2

Shapurian, R., Hojat, M., and Nayerahmadi, H. (1987). Psychometric characteristics and

dimensionality of a Persian version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Perceptual and

Motor Skills, 65,27-34.

Shokrkon, H. Boroumand Nasab, M. Najarian, B. and Shahni Yeilagh, M. (2002).

investigating simple and multiple relationship of creativity, development stimulus and

self-esteem with entrepreneurship in Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Journal of

Behavioral Sciences and Psychology. Shahid Chamran University. Ahvaz. third period.

9,3 &4. 1-24.

Talebpoor, A. Nouri, A. and Mowlavi, H. (2002). the effect of cognitive education on

subduction seat, achievement motivation and educational development of Shahed

students. Journal of Psychology. 1,6, 19-28.

Taylor,W.J., Dean,S.G., and Siegert,R.J.(2006). Differential association of general and health

self-efficacy with disability, health-related quality of life and psychological distress from

musculoskeletal pain in a cross-sectional general adult population survey. Pain, 125, 3,

225-232.

Tsay, S.L., and Healstead, M.(2002).Self-care, self-efficacy, depression, and quality of life

among patients receiving hemodialysis in Taiwan. International Journal of Nursing

Studies,39,3,245-247.

Tsay, S.L., and Healstead, M.(2002).Self-care, self-efficacy, depression, and quality of life

among patients receiving hemodialysis in Taiwan. International Journal of Nursing

Studies,39,3,245-247.

Tucker-Ladd.C.E.(2000). Psychological self-help. http.// mental help.

Net/Psyhelp/Chap4/Chap4 K.htm.

Weare,K.(2000). Promoting mental and social health: a whole school approach. London:

Routledge.

Weiss,P.A.(2002). self-esteem: A study of methods of measurements. Dissertation Abstract

International: Section B, The Sciences and Engineering,62,(9-B),32-42.

Whiteside-Mensell,L., and Corwyn,R.F.(2003). Mean and covariance structures analysis: An

examination of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale among adolescents and adults.

Educational and Psychological Measurement,63,1,163-173.

WHO Quality of life Group.(1996). WHOQOL-BREF Introduction, Administration and

scoring, Field Trial version, Geneva: World Health Organization.

Wiegandm,DM., and Geller,ES.(2004).Connecting positive psychology and organizational

behavior management: Achievement motivation and the power of positive

reinforcement. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management,24 ,1-2, 3-25.

Wu,C.H.(2009). Factor analysis of the general self-efficacy scale and its relationship with

individualism/ collectivism among twenty –five countries: Application of multilevel

confirmatory factor analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 46, 699-703.

Zaki, M.A. (2007). the quality of life and its relation with self-esteem in male and female

students of Isfahan University. Iran Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Journal. 13,4.

416-419.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T0K-4K7NHTJ-1&_user=1400092&_coverDate=12%2F05%2F2006&_alid=985545633&_rdoc=3&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=4865&_sort=r&_st=4&_docanchor=&_ct=60&_acct=C000052580&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=1400092&md5=1e1c5a8d338aad7e4c6ec87f2ade87e3



Documents

The determination of self-esteem, self-efficacy and ...esteem and achievement motivation cannot significantly increase the prediction power of the participants’quality of life.The