Organizational Psychology

Purpose. This study aims to adapt the Italian Social Workers’ Self-Efficacy Scale (SESSW) for professionals in child welfare and guardianship in Russia, evaluate its validity and reliability, and identify critical factors influencing the self-efficacy of these specialists, with particular emphasis one lements that promote their well-being and professional motivation. Design. The scale consists of 12 items distributed across three subscales: emotional regulation, procedural self-efficacy, and support seeking  behaviors. It facilitates the assessment of competencies in emotion management, help-seeking capabilities, and levels of procedural self-efficacy. Adhering to international standards, a validated translation of the scale was accomplished, accounting for the cultural and linguistic nuances of the Russian population. A psychometric evaluation of the Russian-language version of the scale was conducted with a sample of 2,036 specialists from child welfare and guardianship agencies across 88 regions of Russia. To examine external validity, the relationships between self-efficacy characteristics, professional motivation, and emotional intelligence were analyzed. Empirical data were collected via questionnaires implemented through the “Anketolog” system. The statistical methods employed included factor analysis (maximum likelihood method with Varimax rotation), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s Chi-square test; correlation analysis utilizing Pearson’s coefficient; one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student’s t-test, and linear regression analysis. Results. The psychometric evaluation of the Russian adaptation of the Italian Social Workers’ Self-Efficacy Scale demonstrated its suitability for the unique context of professionals in child welfare and guardianship in Russia, owing to a rigorous translation process and expert validation. The adapted scale retained its three-factor structure, encompassing “Support-Seeking Behaviors,” “Procedural Self-Efficacy,” and “Emotional Regulation,” while affirming both its internal and external validity. Value of the results. The findings have significant implications for the development and psychometric validation of a Russian version of the self-efficacy scale tailored for child welfare and guardianshipprofessionals. Utilizing this scale will broaden scientific insights into the effects of various factors (e.g., stress, organizational culture, and support from management and colleagues) on the self-efficacy of these specialists, and it will aid in the creation of similar instruments for assessing self-efficacy in emotionally demanding professions. Practical application. This instrument will enable practitioners to systematically evaluate the self-efficacy levels of employees, identify areas requiring enhancement, and offer timely psychological assistance and support, thereby preventing burnout and reducing employee turnover.