Relationship of Self-efficacy with Mindfulness and Empathy in Red Crescent Society Volunteers in Saveh, Iran

INTRODUCTION: It is an indisputable fact that people who live in societies will always need each other. In this regard, the members of a society should try to decrease the problems and difficulties of the community by participating in voluntary services. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of self-efficacy with mindfulness and empathy in volunteers of the Red Crescent society in Saveh, Iran. METHODS: This practical study was conducted based on a descriptive-survey method. The population included 100 experts and key members of the Sistan and Baluchistan Crisis Management Coordination Council. In total 80 cases were selected using Cochran's formula and purposive (snowball) sampling method. The data were collected through a 46-item researcher-made questionnaire. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts, and the reliability of the questionnaire was estimated at 0.94 using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which indicated acceptable reliability of this scale. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) through multiple regression to evaluate the research hypotheses. FINDINGS: Based on the results, mindfulness (P<0.05, r=0.468) and expressive empathy (P<0.01, r=0.207) had a positive and significant relationship with self-efficacy; however, empathy did not have a relationship with other variables. Moreover, out of the subscales of empathy, empathy for others (P<0.05, r=-0.138) and control (P<0.01, r=-0.210) had a negative relationship with self-efficacy. The mindfulness variable was significant in the prediction of self-efficacy (F=25.353) which explains about 21.8% of the variance of the criterion variable. Moreover, the component of emotional stability was significant in the prediction of self-efficacy (F=16.379) which explains about 5% of the variance of the criterion variable. Therefore, with a coefficient of determination of 51.7% the changes in self-efficacy are explained by mindfulness and the component of emotional stability. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, the variables of mindfulness and the component of emotional stability can significantly predict self-efficacy. Furthermore, mindfulness with a beta of 0.467 had the greatest effect on self-efficacy.