The role of trait core confidence higher-order construct in self-regulation of performance and attitudes: Evidence from four studies

•Multidimensional constructs in organizational behavior.•The role of core confidence in self-regulation.•Evidence from four studies with complementary analyses.•Performance, satisfaction with life, and job satisfaction.•Core confidence offers a parsimonious approach for building cumulative knowledge.

Self-regulation theories explain how psychological processes translate into action. We conceptualize the role of the trait core confidence higher-order construct in self-regulation processes and hypothesize its positive relationships with performance, satisfaction with life, and job satisfaction. On the basis of meta-analytic data (studies = 141, k = 226, N = 82,692), one student sample from the United States (n = 339), another student sample from Republic of Korea (n = 181), and field data from an auto group (20 car dealerships in 16 cities, n = 142 car sales associates), complementary analyses were conducted to examine convergent and predictive validities of the trait core confidence higher-order construct. Meta-analyses of the relationships among its four trait manifest variables (hope, general-efficacy, optimism, resilience) revealed that they are highly correlated. Confirmatory factor analyses in three studies indicated convergent validity. Predictive validity of the trait core confidence higher-order construct was supported in two studies.