Abstract
The link between self-efficacy and PCC among EFL learners remained under-researched, especially in terms of the underlying mental processes of these two factors. This study examined the mediating effect of L2 motivation on the link between self-efficacy and PCC among 362 non-English-major undergraduates across four universities in Central China. Data were collected using an adapted version of the MSLQ self-efficacy subscale, McCroskey’s SPCC scale, and an L2 motivation scale based on Dörnyei’s model. Mediation analysis, carried out using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4, 5,000 bootstrap samples), revealed that self-efficacy predicted PCC both directly, β = .313, p < .001, and indirectly via L2 motivation, indirect effect = .123, 95% CI [.069, .183]. This indirect effect accounted for 28.2% of the total effect. These findings suggest that motivational factors partially mediate the effect of self-efficacy on learners’ self-reported communicative ability, carrying potential implications for EFL teaching in resource-poor inland regions.
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