Abstract

The literature locates in ego-resiliency and prosocialness two of the most important indexes of adjustment in adolescence. In this contribution we computed a "general index of adjustment" using the scores reported by subjects in these two variables, and we identified two groups: well-adjusted and maladjusted. Secondly we tested the hypothesis that self-efficacy believes in different domains (emotional and interpersonal) could discriminate the subjects of the two groups. The study involved 94 males and 96 females, all high school students. Through discriminant analysis technique the self-efficacy believes that greatly contribute to discriminate among the two groups have been identified. Results sustain our hypothesis that the well adjusted subjects can be discriminated from the maladjusted on the bases of their self-efficacy believes, differently for males and females.