Άγχος, αυτοαποτελεσματικότητα, δυνατότητες και δυσκολίες παιδιών Ε΄ και ΣΤ΄ δημοτικού σε αστικές και ημιαστικές περιοχές

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between state and trait anxiety, self-efficacy beliefs, and strengths and difficulties among fifth and sixth graders in Greek primary schools. The survey took place at ten randomly selected schools in Western Greece, five urban schools and five semi-urban schools. Five hundred and sixty-one students completed the State-Trait Inventory for Children, the New Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Hel). The results revealed few differences between fifth and sixth graders in the domain of strengths and difficulties, with the former students having greater difficulties. Also, as regards state anxiety, the study found residence-related discrepancies, with semi-urban children experiencing greater state anxiety than urban children. As was expected, trait anxiety correlated with state anxiety. Moreover, strengths and difficulties correlated with anxiety, especially with trait anxiety. Negative correlations were revealed between self-efficacy and anxiety. Finally, the results confirmed that strengths and difficulties predict trait anxiety. These results could lead to the conclusion that higher levels of self-efficacy can reduce anxiety, especially when difficulties related to children’s behavior have already been diminished, thus contributing to the improvement of students’ well-being as well as facilitating the learning process.