DOI: 10.6129/CJP.20160306
Chinese Journal of Psychology 2016, Vol.58, No.1, 63-87
Impact and Sources of Family Efficacy Beliefs in Chinese Society
Rong-Kou Liu（Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University）；Reuy-Ling Chu（Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University；Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica）
Abstract
Rooted in social cognitive theory, the present paper considered efficacy beliefs that each family member holds
about its role as a spouse, parent, and child. Further, it was examined how these different efficacy beliefs relate to the quality of family functioning, individual well-being and family values over time. The first study analyzed survey data derived from the Panel Study of Family Dynamics (PSFD) of Taiwanese in 2007 and 2009 by means of structural equation modeling. The results showed that parental efficacy, marital efficacy, and filial efficacy were linked to the qualities of their corresponding relationship respectively, reflecting the “domain- specific” theoretical construct of efficacy. People’s perceived self-efficacy to manage family relationships affected their satisfaction with family life both directly and through its impact on family practices, and these relations held both concurrently and longitudinally. In particular, marital efficacy contributed the most to the quality of family life in contemporary Taiwan society. The second study tested a structural model in which relevant sources influenced family efficacy beliefs. Findings based on a new sample drawn in 2003 and 2007 from PSFD showed that besides the past experiences of family interaction and relation, personal values related to the family functions, such as the marriage in stitution and affective connection, helped establish efficacy. In conclusion, for understanding the reciprocal relations among efficacy beliefs, family processes, and psychological adjustments, it is important to take the dynamics of the whole family system and cultural values into consideration.
Keywords: social cognitive theory, family efficacy belief, family values, Panel Study of Family Dynamics (PSFD)
