Self-rated abilities and self-efficacy beliefs: Are they empirically distinct?

Self-efficacy beliefs and self-rated abilities are conceptually overlapping constructs that have emerged from two parallel literatures in career psychology. The present investigation employed three different analytic strategies to assess empirically whether they represent unique constructs. In the first analysis, confirmatory factor analyses of measures of each of these two constructs revealed that a two-factor model fit the data better than did a one-factor model. Second, it was found that LISREL estimates of self-efficacy beliefs were more highly related to vocational interests and perceived career options than were estimates of self-rated abilities. Third, the relation of ability self-estimates to interests was found to be mediated by self-efficacy beliefs. The implications of these findings for theory and practice are considered.