Prediction of Tripartite Efficacy Beliefs on Tennis Performance of Elective Course in University

The purpose of this study was to examine the prediction of tripartite efficacy beliefs on the tennis performance based on the tripartite efficacy model proposed by Lent and Lopez (2002). Participants in this study were 196 students in elective tennis course (M = 165, F = 31, Mean age = 19.9) from a university of northern Taiwan. All participants were asked to complete the tripartite efficacy scale and sport performance scale. The study found following results: (1) There are positive correlations between performance and tripartite efficacy (self-efficacy, other-efficacy and relation-inferred self-efficacy), meanwhile all tripartite efficacy perceptions could significantly predict the performance of students. (2) The higher other-efficacy and relation-inferred self-efficacy are beneficial to develop the higher self-efficacy. (3) By path analysis, it was found that other-efficacy and relation-inferred self-efficacy was fully mediated the tennis performance via self-efficacy. This study supports Lent and Lopez tripartite efficacy model, where ＂other-efficacy and relation-inferred self-efficacy＂ plays an important cognitive mechanism in influencing the individual’s self-efficacy. This study suggests that physical education instructors should encourage students with positive interactions, by verbal and non-verbal feedback, in order to enhance tripartite efficacy beliefs and promote performance.