Mediating Role of Goal Orientation in the Relationship of Spirituality and Self-Efficacy with Hope in University Students: a Structural Model

Background and Objective: Religion and spiritual beliefs are of particular significance in human’s life. Self-efficacy is also a motivating factor for activating, strengthening, sustaining, and guiding behavior toward the goal. Each of these two variables can affect different aspects of life, even how hopeful individuals are. Taking this into account, this study aimed to examine the role of spirituality and self-efficacy in students' hope given the mediating role of goal orientation. Method: The research method is descriptive-correlational, using path analysis. The statistical population included students from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Regarding the number of variables in the proposed path analysis model, which is considered for each variable of 15 people, and by considering the criterion of the generalizability of sample findings to the community, 280 students from the statistical population were selected through available sampling method. To collect data, spirituality, self-efficacy, hope and goal orientation questionnaires were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and path analysis. All ethical issues were observed in this study and the researchers declared no conflict of interests. Results: The correlation results show that all of the observed variables correlate (p<0.01). Performing a path analysis to test the relationship between the role of spirituality and self-efficacy on hope through goal orientation and the proposed pattern (RMSEA=0.098, GFI=0/99) showed to be well fit. Conclusion: The results of this research suggest that spirituality and selfefficacy through the goal orientation mediation will increase the hope of students. Therefore, considering the positive impact of self-efficacy and spirituality and goal orientation, the use of these capacities is recommended in individual and group planning and activities of students to boost their hopes