EXAMINATION OF SELF-EFFICACY, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND STRESS AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL DISTRESS AMONG HISPANIC COLLEGE-STUDENTS

Social and cognitive factors were investigated to determine whether se lf-efficacy and social support moderate the relationship between stres s, and physical and psychological distress among Hispanic college stud ents. A total of 164 Mexican American and Latin American undergraduate s were surveyed (51% response rate). Self-efficacy and social support combined to account for 33% of the variance in college adjustment, wit h self-efficacy providing the largest contribution (R(Z)Change 27%). H ispanic students who perceived social support was available had lower distress ratings than students who perceived social support was less a vailable, and social support was found to moderate the relationship be tween stress and distress. The complete regression model that included stress, self-efficacy, social support, acculturation, and gender acco unted for 46% of the variance in college distress.