Fear of Failure, Self-Efficacy, and Emotional Dysregulation in Adolescents

Abstract

Pakistani adolescents face high-stakes examination culture, collectivist family expectations, and limited psychological support, increasing susceptibility to fear of failure. This cross-sectional study examined statistical associations among fear of failure, self-efficacy, and emotional dysregulation in Pakistani adolescents and tested self-efficacy as an indirect pathway. A convenience sample of N = 300 adolescents (150 males, 150 females; aged 13–19 years) was recruited from secondary and higher secondary institutions in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Fear of failure (PFAI), self-efficacy (GSES), and emotional dysregulation (DERS) were measured using validated instruments showing acceptable to excellent reliability. Fear of failure correlated significantly positively with emotional dysregulation and negatively with self-efficacy; self-efficacy correlated negatively with emotional dysregulation. Simple regression showed fear of failure predicted 19.7% of variance in emotional dysregulation. Bootstrapped mediation (PROCESS Model 4) indicated a significant indirect association via self-efficacy, accounting for approximately 22% of the total effect (partial mediation). Males reported higher self-efficacy; females and rural adolescents reported higher emotional dysregulation. Findings underscore self-efficacy as a key intervention target.