Self-efficacy as the moderator between state anxiety, and state well-being: an experience sampling study among university students

Research has shown that university students are more at-risk to develop anxiety disorders and experience lower levels of mental well-being than the general population. Even though the negative association between state anxiety and mental well-being is known, no study examined if the association differs on a within- and between-person level. Additionally, no research has examined if constructs, such as self-efficacy, could moderate and thereby influence the daily relationship of state anxiety and mental well-being. Therefore, the present study investigated the association between state anxiety and state well-being over two weeks. Furthermore, the association was examined on a within-and between-person level. Last, trait self-efficacy was examined as a moderator of the daily relationship between state anxiety and mental well-being.