The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of confrontational skills in volleyball referees' decision-making with regard to the mediating role of referees' self-efficacy in Semnan province.

The present study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of method based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the study consisted of all volleyball referees in Semnan province. Sampling was done as a whole number (n=106). Data collection tools included the Referee Decision-Making Questionnaire by Johansen and Hagen (2013), the Competitive Sports Coping Skills Questionnaire by Gaudreau and Blondin (2002), and the Referee Self-Efficacy Scale by Meyers et al. (2012). For data analysis, first, descriptive indices and assumptions necessary for modeling, including collinearity, were examined. Then, structural equation modeling with the partial least squares approach and using SmartPLS and SPSS software were used to test the direct and indirect relationships assumed in the research model.

The results showed that coping skills had a direct and significant effect on referees' decision-making (β=0.35, t=2.08, p<0.0). Referees' self-efficacy also had a direct and significant effect on their decision-making ((β=0.44, (t=2.04)p<0.05)). In addition, coping skills had a direct and significant effect on referees' self-efficacy (β=0.60), (t=8.77), (p<0.01). Also, the indirect effect of coping skills on decision-making through self-efficacy was seen to be significant (β=0.26), (t=2.03), (p<0.05).

It can be concluded that volleyball referees' possession of effective coping skills, by strengthening self-efficacy, can be effective and helpful in improving the quality of their decision-making in refereeing situations.