Volume 24, Issue 1 (9-2026)
RBS 2026, 24(1): 93-102 |
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Tanhaye Reshvanloo F, Arkhodi Ghalenoei M, Samadieh H. Psychometric Properties of the General Self-Efficacy Short Scale-3 (GSE-3): Evidence from Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory. RBS 2026; 24 (1) :93-102
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2123-en.html
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2123-en.html
1- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Arman Razavi Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Counselling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran ,h.samadieh@birjand.ac.ir
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Counselling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran ,
Abstract: (10 Views)
Aim and Background: General self-efficacy, as a core construct in social–cognitive theory, plays a critical role in adaptation, academic performance, and mental health. The three-item General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-3), due to its brevity, efficiency, and ease of administration, has been developed as a rapid assessment tool; however, its Persian version has not yet been validated in Iran. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian GSE-3 among Iranian university students using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT).
Methods and Materials: In a descriptive–correlational validation study, three separate samples of 180, 237, and 143 university students from Mashhad were recruited. Following a forward–backward translation procedure, Study 1 examined internal consistency, exploratory factor analysis, and construct reliability. Study 2 estimated graded response model parameters, including item discrimination, threshold parameters, and item and test information functions. Study 3 assessed convergent validity with the ten-item General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10) and examined demographic differences using independent-samples t tests and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Findings: The results indicated satisfactory item–total correlations, and exploratory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure across the total sample and across gender groups. Reliability indices were acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79–0.84; McDonald’s omega = 0.79–0.84). In the IRT analysis, all three items demonstrated high discrimination parameters, and the test information curve indicated adequate measurement precision in the moderate range of general self-efficacy. Convergent validity with the GSE-10 was strong (r = 0.73).
Conclusions: The Persian version of the GSE-3 is a brief, reliable, and valid instrument for assessing general self-efficacy among Iranian university students. Estimating item parameters using IRT provides greater generalizability and reduces sample dependency, facilitating the use of this scale across diverse populations. The GSE-3 can be effectively applied in research, screening, and academic interventions, particularly under time constraints
Methods and Materials: In a descriptive–correlational validation study, three separate samples of 180, 237, and 143 university students from Mashhad were recruited. Following a forward–backward translation procedure, Study 1 examined internal consistency, exploratory factor analysis, and construct reliability. Study 2 estimated graded response model parameters, including item discrimination, threshold parameters, and item and test information functions. Study 3 assessed convergent validity with the ten-item General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10) and examined demographic differences using independent-samples t tests and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Findings: The results indicated satisfactory item–total correlations, and exploratory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure across the total sample and across gender groups. Reliability indices were acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79–0.84; McDonald’s omega = 0.79–0.84). In the IRT analysis, all three items demonstrated high discrimination parameters, and the test information curve indicated adequate measurement precision in the moderate range of general self-efficacy. Convergent validity with the GSE-10 was strong (r = 0.73).
Conclusions: The Persian version of the GSE-3 is a brief, reliable, and valid instrument for assessing general self-efficacy among Iranian university students. Estimating item parameters using IRT provides greater generalizability and reduces sample dependency, facilitating the use of this scale across diverse populations. The GSE-3 can be effectively applied in research, screening, and academic interventions, particularly under time constraints
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/05/8 | Accepted: 2026/08/12 | Published: 2026/09/1
Received: 2026/05/8 | Accepted: 2026/08/12 | Published: 2026/09/1
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