Kareshki H (PhD), Pakmehr H * (MSc)

  Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences

  and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

  Received 9 Mar 2011, Accepted: 10 Oct 2011

  Abstract

  Introduction: Mental health is an influencing factor in medical students' academic achievements and occupational performances. Mental health is affected by many factors. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationships between medical students' perceived self-efficacy, meta-cognition and critical thinking with their mental health.

  Methods: In this descriptive-explanatory study, 357 students (196 females and 161 males) were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling method from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during the academic year of 2010-2011. The students completed the Sherer 's General Self-efficacy Scale, Wells' Metacognitive Beliefs Inventory, California Critical Thinking Skills Scale, and Goldberger's General Mental Health Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis.

  Results: The data analysis showed that there were significant differences between the students' self-efficacy and mental health ( r= -0.74, p>0.001), their metacognition and mental health (r= -0.56, p> 0.001), and their critical thinking and mental health (r= -0.18, p>0.01). Path analysis indicated that the considered path model was fitted to the data (RSMEA=0/048, df=1, c 2=1/80, GFI=1/00, AGFI= 0/97). Direct paths from self-efficacy to the mental health (β= -0/52, Se= 0/03), and meta-cognition (β = 0/45, Se= 0/06) critical thinking to the meta-cognition (β= 0/29, Se= 1/57) and metacognition to the mental health (β= -0/25, Se=0/02) were all statistically significant.

  Conclusion: The results indicated that medical students' self-efficacy, metacognition, and critical thinking were directly related to their mental health. The self-efficacy, by mediation of metacognition, indirectly affected mental health and had the greatest overall impact on mental health.

  Key words: s elf-efficacy, meta-cognition, critical thinking, mental health, student

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Kareshki H, Pakmehr H. Relationship between Perceived Self-efficacy, Meta-cognitive, and Critical Thinking with Mental Health among Medical Sciences Students. Hakim Research Journal 2011 14(3): 180- 187.

  * Corresponding Author: Department of Educational sciences, Educational sciences and psychology Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. Tel: +98- 511- 8803608 , E-mail: Pakmehr_1388@yahoo.com