Research Article

Psychometric properties of the emotional self-efficacy and prosocial behavior scales among Nigerian youths: A cross-cultural validation study

Number: 1 January 6, 2026

Psychometric properties of the emotional self-efficacy and prosocial behavior scales among Nigerian youths: A cross-cultural validation study

Abstract

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Emotional Self-Efficacy and Prosocial Behavior scales, originally developed in Italy, among Nigerian youths residing in urban and semi-urban contexts. A total of 108 participants completed measures assessing empathic ability, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication, alongside the Prosocial Tendencies Measure, which captures helping behaviors across anonymous, public, and emotionally salient situations. The findings demonstrated acceptable internal consistency across all scales, indicating satisfactory reliability within this cultural context. Descriptive analyses showed generally low levels of empathic and problem-solving self-efficacy, while interpersonal communication self-efficacy ranged from low to high. Correlational analyses revealed that empathic, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication self-efficacy were positively associated with prosocial behaviors, particularly in emotionally demanding contexts. Additionally, empathic and problem-solving self-efficacy were positively related to public prosocial actions. Overall, the findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the cross-cultural applicability of these instruments among Nigerian youths and highlight culturally relevant patterns in self-efficacy and prosocial functioning. The study contributes to the limited literature on psychological resources and prosocial development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Future research should employ larger and more diverse samples and explore the roles of resilience, personality traits, and value orientations in shaping prosocial behavior.

Keywords

References

  1. Adeniji, O. G., Akanni, A. A., & Ekundayo, O. O. (2015). Gender difference in emotional labor among nurses in Osun State, Nigeria. Journal of Gender and Behavior, 13(1), 6527–6534.
  2. Al-Rahmi, W. M., Yahaya, N., Aldraiweesh, A. A., Alamri, M. M., Aljarboa, N. A., Alturki, U., & Aljeraiwi, A. A. (2019). Integrating technology acceptance model with innovation diffusion theory: An empirical investigation on students’ intention to use e-learning systems. IEEE Access, 7, 26797–26809. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2899368
  3. Ameh, P., Afolaranmi, T., Sani, S., Nwoke, O., Ebonyi, M., & Hassan, Z. (2022). Assessment of empathy levels among medical students in a Nigerian university. Journal of Epidemiological Society of Nigeria, 5(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7046807
  4. Azimpour, A., Neasi, A., Shehni-Yailagh, M., & Arshadi, N. (2012). Validation of “Prosocial Tendencies Measure” in Iranian university students. Journal of Life Science and Biomedicine, 2(2), 34–42.
  5. Bailey, P. E., Ebner, N. C., & Stine-Morrow, E. A. L. (2021). Introduction to the special issue on prosociality in adult development and aging: Advancing theory within a multilevel framework. Psychology and Aging, 36(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000598
  6. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
  7. Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. Freeman and Company.
  8. Bartuseviciene, I., Rakauskiene, O. G., & Valackiene, A. (2023). Assessing the resilience of organizations in the context of uncertainty. Measuring Business Excellence, 27(2), 211–226. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-05-2022-0066

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Applied and Developmental Psychology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 6, 2026

Submission Date

September 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

APA
Akaiso, E. (2026). Psychometric properties of the emotional self-efficacy and prosocial behavior scales among Nigerian youths: A cross-cultural validation study. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, 1, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18162806
AMA
1.Akaiso E. Psychometric properties of the emotional self-efficacy and prosocial behavior scales among Nigerian youths: A cross-cultural validation study. PRESS. 2026;(1):1-10. doi:10.5281/zenodo.18162806
Chicago
Akaiso, Emmanuel. 2026. “Psychometric Properties of the Emotional Self-Efficacy and Prosocial Behavior Scales Among Nigerian Youths: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, no. 1: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18162806.
EndNote
Akaiso E (January 1, 2026) Psychometric properties of the emotional self-efficacy and prosocial behavior scales among Nigerian youths: A cross-cultural validation study. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences 1 1–10.
IEEE
[1]E. Akaiso, “Psychometric properties of the emotional self-efficacy and prosocial behavior scales among Nigerian youths: A cross-cultural validation study”, PRESS, no. 1, pp. 1–10, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.18162806.
ISNAD
Akaiso, Emmanuel. “Psychometric Properties of the Emotional Self-Efficacy and Prosocial Behavior Scales Among Nigerian Youths: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences. 1 (January 1, 2026): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18162806.
JAMA
1.Akaiso E. Psychometric properties of the emotional self-efficacy and prosocial behavior scales among Nigerian youths: A cross-cultural validation study. PRESS. 2026;:1–10.
MLA
Akaiso, Emmanuel. “Psychometric Properties of the Emotional Self-Efficacy and Prosocial Behavior Scales Among Nigerian Youths: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 1-10, doi:10.5281/zenodo.18162806.
Vancouver
1.Emmanuel Akaiso. Psychometric properties of the emotional self-efficacy and prosocial behavior scales among Nigerian youths: A cross-cultural validation study. PRESS. 2026 Jan. 1;(1):1-10. doi:10.5281/zenodo.18162806

PRESS is an effective academic platform where current and engaging research in education and social psychology is published.