The role of social desirability, mental health and self-efficacy in predicting academic achievement of female students

The aim of the present research was to determine relationship between social desirability, mental health and self-efficacy in predicting academic achievement of gifted and normal students. The research sample consisted of 240 normal and gifted students who were selected through random sampling method. To collect the data, Reality Distortion Scale, General Health Questionnaire and Self-Efficacy Scale were used. The research results showed that social desirability (-0.29 vs -0.52), mental health (0.21 vs 0.24) and self-efficacy (0.21 vs 0.38) are related to academic achievement in normal and gifted students. The results of multiple regression showed that social desirability, mental health and self-efficacy accounted for 12 percent of variance of academic achievement in gifted students, while 31 percent of variance of academic achievement in normal students. The results indicated that high levels of mental health and self-efficacy, and low level of reality distortion increases academic achievement.