Bayesian analysis of psychological capital in peruvian university students: Differences by sex and age

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 15; p. e35370
• Main Authors: Guerrero-Alcedo, Jesús M., Espina-Romero, Lorena C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15-08-2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bayes factor; Bayesian analysis; Optimism; PsyCap; Psychological capital; Resilience; Self-efficacy; University students; University students; Self-efficacy; Psychological capital; Bayes factor; PsyCap; Bayesian analysis; Resilience; Optimism
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35370

Psychological capital (PsyCap) constitutes a positive personal resource that enhances better well-being and academic performance in university students. Initially addressed in the organizational realm and recently in the academic one. This study aimed to establish the differences in PsyCap according to gender and age in Peruvian university students. A quantitative, comparative, non-experimental, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 708 students (77.4 % women and 22.6 % men), aged between 18 and 61 years (M = 22.1; SD = 5.95), selected in a non-probabilistic manner, who completed the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-12). The results indicate very strong evidence supporting the existence of significant differences between different age groups, suggesting that the observed variations are not due to chance but reflect real differences between ages. Regarding gender, the data do not provide enough information to confidently assert whether there are significant differences between men and women in relation to psychological capital (PsyCap) and its dimensions. This implies that we cannot confirm whether gender influences these variables. These findings highlight the need to consider age when assessing and intervening in PsyCap in university students.