Questionable mediated effect of self-efficacy on depressive symptoms among college students: A reassessment of Desai and Lueke (2026)
Abstract
Using the covariance matrix reported by Desai and Lueke, we conducted a reanalysis of the evidence supporting their mediation framework relating generalized self-efficacy to depressive symptoms in college students. We demonstrate that the observed pattern of covariation can be represented equally well by a theoretically different latent-variable model that does not assume the directional sequence proposed in the original investigation. In this alternative specification, generalized self-efficacy, perceived stress, college maladjustment, and depressive symptoms are conceptualized as indicators of a broader latent construct, core self-evaluation. These findings illustrate a fundamental limitation of observational research: identical covariance structures can often be explained by multiple competing models. Consequently, correlational data alone provide limited grounds for favoring one theoretical interpretation over alternative explanations. Consideration of rival models should therefore be a routine part of efforts to draw conclusions about psychological processes and mechanisms.
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BibTeX
@misc{sorjonen2026questionable,
title = {{Questionable mediated effect of self-efficacy on depressive symptoms among college students: A reassessment of Desai and Lueke (2026)}},
author = {Kimmo Sorjonen and Bo Melin and Marika Melin},
howpublished = {PsyArXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.31234/osf.io/9765b_v1},
url = {https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/9765b_v1/},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Questionable mediated effect of self-efficacy on depressive symptoms among college students: A reassessment of Desai and Lueke (2026)
AU - Kimmo Sorjonen
AU - Bo Melin
AU - Marika Melin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/21
PB - PsyArXiv
DO - 10.31234/osf.io/9765b_v1
UR - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/9765b_v1/
AB - Using the covariance matrix reported by Desai and Lueke, we conducted a reanalysis of the evidence supporting their mediation framework relating generalized self-efficacy to depressive symptoms in college students. We demonstrate that the observed pattern of covariation can be represented equally well by a theoretically different latent-variable model that does not assume the directional sequence proposed in the original investigation. In this alternative specification, generalized self-efficacy, perceived stress, college maladjustment, and depressive symptoms are conceptualized as indicators of a broader latent construct, core self-evaluation. These findings illustrate a fundamental limitation of observational research: identical covariance structures can often be explained by multiple competing models. Consequently, correlational data alone provide limited grounds for favoring one theoretical interpretation over alternative explanations. Consideration of rival models should therefore be a routine part of efforts to draw conclusions about psychological processes and mechanisms.
ER -