• Abstract

    This study investigates the influence of self-efficacy on students’ problem-solving abilities in vocational high schools. Self-efficacy, as a fundamental psychological construct, plays a crucial role in shaping learners’ confidence, persistence, and capacity to overcome both academic and practical challenges. A quantitative research design was adopted, employing a one-group pretest–posttest approach to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and problem-solving performance. The study involved 65 vocational high school students as research participants. Data were collected using a validated Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and a Problem-Solving Performance Test. The instruments were developed through expert validation, pilot testing, and reliability analysis to ensure methodological rigour. Data analysis consisted of descriptive and inferential statistical procedures, including normality tests, linearity tests, and simple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that self-efficacy exerts a statistically significant positive effect on students’ problem-solving abilities, with a significance value of 0.008, which is lower than the 0.05 threshold. The coefficient of determination (R² = 0.105) indicates that self-efficacy contributes 10.5% to students’ problem-solving performance, while the remaining 89.5% is attributed to other variables not examined in this study. These results underscore the importance of fostering students’ self-efficacy through mastery experiences, constructive feedback, and collaborative learning activities. Strengthening self-efficacy is essential for developing higher-order thinking and problem-solving competencies that are critical for success in vocational education and future professional contexts. The study recommends that educational institutions integrate self-efficacy-oriented strategies into instructional design to enhance students’ adaptability, autonomy, and lifelong learning capacities within the framework of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

  • References

    1. Abubakar, N. M. P., & Purniati, T. (2024). Pengaruh self-efficacy terhadap kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis peserta didik SMK pada sistem pembelajaran kurikulum merdeka. Jurnal Jendela Matematika, 2(2), 112–120. https://doi.org/10.57008/jjm.v2i02.789
    2. Ahmed, N. H., Andersion, J., & Martínez, A. (2024). Innovative blended learning approaches to enhance student engagement in university. JTL: Journal of Teaching and Learning, 1(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.71305/jtl.v1i1.100
    3. Andrews, J., & Higson, H. (2008). Graduate employability, “soft skills” versus “hard” business knowledge: A European study. Higher Education in Europe, 33(4), 411–422. https://doi.org/10.1080/03797720802522627
    4. Arslan, A. (2022). The prediction level of university students’ critical thinking dispositions to achievement goal orientations. International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 14(3), 2505–2530. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1364159.pdf
    5. Artino, A. R. (2012). Academic self-efficacy: From educational theory to instructional practice. Perspectives on Medical Education, 1(2), 76–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-012-0012-5
    6. Bandura, A. (2010). Self-efficacy and educational development. In Self-efficacy in changing societies (Issue December). https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511527692.009
    7. Bell, S. (2010). Project-based learning for the 21st century: Skills for the future. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(2), 39–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/00098650903505415
    8. Briganti, A. (2025). Implementation of inclusive education for students with special needs in public schools: A qualitative study. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.71305/ijir.v1i1.224
    9. Çelik, H. C., Özdemir, F., & Bindak, R. (2024). The effect of problem posing attitude on problem solving attitude: The mediating role of mathematical self-efficacy. International Journal of Educational Spectrum, 6(2), 264–281. https://doi.org/10.47806/ijesacademic.1464387
    10. Chaanpraserta, P., Thomas, J. L., & Mitchelle, S. (2024). Innovative learning strategies for enhancing student engagement in multicultural classrooms. JTL: Journal of Teaching and Learning, 1(1), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.71305/jtl.v1i1.102
    11. Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
    12. Desnatalia, I. (2022). Belajar matematika untuk peningkatan efikasi diri peserta didik dengan model pembelajaran problem based learning. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 6, 2861–2868. https://doi.org/10.31004/jptam.v6i1.3327
    13. Duffy, G., Sorby, S., & Bowe, B. (2020). An investigation of the role of spatial ability in representing and solving word problems among engineering students. Journal of Engineering Education, 109(3), 424–442. https://doi.org/10.1002/jee.20349
    14. Elias, M. J. (1997). Promoting social and emotional learning: Guidelines for educators. ASCD.
    15. Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using SPSS (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
    16. Fitri, D. S., Prakoso, A. F., & Haq, A. S. (2023). The effect self-efficacy on economic problem-solving student: Metacognitive mediation. International Journal of Emerging Research and Review, 1(2), 000011. https://doi.org/10.56707/ijoerar.v1i2.11
    17. Griffin, P., & Care, E. (2015). Policy pathways for twenty-first century skills: Methods and approach. In Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9395-7_15
    18. Habibulloh, M. (2025). Ethics of artificial intelligence usage in education: A qualitative study on teachers’ and students’ perceptions. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.71305/ijir.v1i1.222
    19. Habibulloh, M., Sholeh, M. I., & Idawati, K. (2024). Exploring technological innovations and approaches in modern education. SAHRI: Journal of Studies in Academic, Humanities, Research, and Innovation, 1(1), 49–66. https://doi.org/10.71305/sahri.v1i1.129
    20. Hasanah, U. (2024). Pengaruh self-efficacy terhadap pemecahan masalah matematika kontekstual pada peserta didik SMP Muhammadiyah 4 Surabaya. Proceding Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Tahun 2024, 28–34. https://doi.org/10.30651/pc.v1i1.569
    21. Heckman, J. J., & Kautz, T. (2012). Hard evidence on soft skills. Labour Economics, 29(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2012.05.014
    22. Honicke, T., & Broadbent, J. (2016). The influence of academic self-efficacy on academic performance: A systematic review. Educational Research Review, 17, 63–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.11.002
    23. Hwang, Y., & Oh, J. (2021). The relationship between self-directed learning and problem-solving ability: The mediating role of academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning among nursing students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041738
    24. Ismanto, B., & Trisatyawati, S. (2024). Optimizing financial management to enhance curriculum delivery and student development in vocational high schools. JTL: Journal of Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 107–120. https://doi.org/10.71305/jtl.v1i2.123
    25. Johnson, E., Mendoza, C., & Sobirin, M. S. (2024). Strategies of school principals in improving educational quality: An analysis of best practices in American schools. JMPI: Jurnal Manajemen, Pendidikan, dan Pemikiran Islam, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.71305/jmpi.v2i2.84
    26. Karataş, Z., Uzun, K., & Tagay, Ö. (2021). Relationships between the life satisfaction, meaning in life, hope and COVID-19 fear for Turkish adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633384
    27. Khotimah, N. H., Khoirunnisa, A., & Bilda, D. W. (2020). Pengaruh self-efficacy siswa SMP terhadap pemecahan masalah pada materi aritmatika sosial. EDISI: Jurnal Edukasi dan Sains, 2(2), 285–291. https://doi.org/10.36088/edisi.v2i2.913
    28. Kokotsaki, D., Menzies, V. J., & Wiggins, A. (2016). Project-based learning: A review of the literature defining characteristics of project-based learning. Improving Schools, 19, 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480216659733
    29. Phan, H. P., Ngu, B. H., Granero-Gallegos, A., & Mensforth, B. P. (2022). Applied educational practice and research development of ‘goals of best practice’ (GsBP): Philosophical inquiries and conceptual analysis for consideration. Heliyon, 8(6), e09689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09689
    30. Punch, K. F. (2013). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Sage Publications.
    31. Putra, G., Meiyuntariningsih, T., & Ramadhani, H. (2023). Problem solving ability pada mahasiswa: Menguji peran self-efficacy. Journal of Psychological Research, 2(4), 815–822. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jpr.v2i4.802
    32. Raelin, J., Hamann, J., Whitman, D., & Reisberg, R. (2011). The effect of cooperative education on self-efficacy among undergraduate engineering students. ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings, 45(2), 17–35. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--3748
    33. Saengchuk, D., Phammesone, S., Traorésa, P., Zeaman, A., & Mose, M. B. (2024). Total quality management strategy to improve organizational culture in multicultural and religious-based educational institutions. IJEMR: International Journal of Education Management and Religion, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.71305/ijemr.v1i1.152
    34. Sapulete, L., Laurens, T., & Gaspersz, M. (2023). The effect of self-regulated learning and self-efficacy on student’s solving problem ability. Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika (JUPITEK), 6(2), 114–122. https://doi.org/10.30598/jupitekvol6iss2pp114-122
    35. Sari, R. S., & Dewi, M. P. (2021). The correlation between students’ self-confidence and their speaking skill at the twelfth grade of SMA N 2 Bukittinggi. ELTALL: English Language Teaching, Applied Linguistic and Literature, 2(2), 56. https://doi.org/10.21154/eltall.v2i2.3208
    36. Satyawati, S. T., & Dwikurnaningsih, Y. (2024). Strategies for organization in educational resource management. SAHRI: Journal of Studies in Academic, Humanities, Research, and Innovation, 1(1), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.71305/sahri.v1i1.144
    37. Seibert, S. E., Wang, G., & Courtright, S. H. (2011). Antecedents and consequences of psychological and team empowerment in organizations: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96(5), 981–1003. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022676
    38. Septian, A., & Irawan, N. Y. (2025). The effect of self-efficacy and learning motivation on students’ mathematical problem solving ability. Jurnal Inovasi Pembelajaran Matematika: PowerMathEdu, 4(1), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.31980/pme.v4i1.2649
    39. Somawati, S. (2018). Peran efikasi diri (self-efficacy) terhadap kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematika. Jurnal Konseling dan Pendidikan, 6(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.29210/118800
    40. Syafi’i, A., Arifin, Z., Sholeh, M. I., & Tasya, D. A. (2024). Integrating leadership strategies with religious values for effective educational management in multicultural institutions. IJEMR: International Journal of Education Management and Religion, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.71305/ijemr.v1i1.150
    41. Tarumasely, Y. (2021). Pengaruh self-regulated learning dan self-efficacy terhadap prestasi akademik mahasiswa. JPE (Jurnal Pendidikan Edutama, 8(1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.22437/bio.v7i2.12824
    42. Teddlie, C., & Tashakkori, A. (2009). Foundations of mixed methods research: Integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches in the social and behavioral sciences. SAGE Publications.
    43. Usher, E. L., & Pajares, F. (2009). Sources of self-efficacy in mathematics: A validation study. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 34(1), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2008.09.002
    44. Wardanis, I., Ervina, I., & Linsiya, R. W. (2023). Pengaruh self-efficacy terhadap kemampuan problem solving mahasiswa akhir fakultas psikologi di Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember dalam mengerjakan tugas akhir. Jurnal Psikologi, 1(3), 8. https://doi.org/10.47134/pjp.v1i3.2008
    45. Zabir, Z., Ayal, C. S., & Ngilawajan, D. A. (2024). Pengaruh self-efficacy terhadap pemecahan masalah pada materi program linear. Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika Unpatti, 4(3), 117–123. https://doi.org/10.30598/jpmunpatti.v4.i3.p117-124
    46. Zahro, M., & Surjanti, J. (2021). Pengaruh self-regulated learning dan self-efficacy terhadap hasil belajar ekonomi peserta didik dalam pembelajaran daring di era Covid-19. Edukatif: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 3(4), 1470–1479. https://doi.org/10.31004/edukatif.v3i4.560

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors

How to cite

Yustiana, D., Bachri, B. S., & Arianto, F. (2025). The effect of self-efficacy on problem solving in vocational high schools. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(6), 2026281. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2026281
  • Article viewed - 728
  • PDF downloaded - 231