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 psych ology. The present investigation employed three different analytic strategi es to assess empirically whether they represent unique constructs. In the f irst analysis, confirmatory factor analyses of measures of each of these tw o 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-effi cacy beliefs were more highly related to vocational interests and perceived career options than were estimates of self-rated abilities. Third, the rel ation of ability self-estimates to interests was found to be mediated by se lf-efficacy beliefs. The implications of these findings for theory and prac tice are considered.