LONGITUDINAL-FIELD INVESTIGATION OF THE MODERATING AND MEDIATING EFFECTS OF SELF-EFFICACY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRAINING AND NEWCOMER ADJUSTMENT

A longitudinal field study examined the moderating and mediating effects of self-efficacy on the relationship between training and the adjustment of newcomers during their 1st year of employment. The results provided some support for the hypothesis that initial self-efficacy moderates the relationship between training and adjustment. Training was more strongly related to posttraining self-efficacy, ability to cope, job performance, and intention to quit the profession for newcomers with low levels of initial self-efficacy. Some support was also found for the hypothesis that posttraining self-efficacy mediates the relationship between training and adjustment; however, evidence of complete mediation was found only for ability to cope. Posttraining self-efficacy partially mediated the relationships between training and job satisfaction, organizational and professional commitment, and intention to quit the organization and the profession. Research and practical implications of these findings for the training and the socialization of newcomers are discussed.