An Exploration of Attributes of Self-Efficacy among Learners with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Selected Special Units in Kajiado County

Abstract

Self-efficacy is the ability to believe in one self in performing a given task. The main objective of this study was to explore the attributes of self-efficacy of learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities in selected special units in Kajiado County, Kenya. The study was informed by self-efficacy theory by Albert Bandura. A mixed method approach, Embedded design was used to collect and analyze the data. Simple random sampling was done to select the 10 special units in Kajiado county. Purposive sampling was done to select learners with IDD who have been in the special units for a period of 7 years and above and their parents/caregivers. The learners were 85 and their parents/caretakers 85. All the 26 teachers in the selected special units participated in the study. The target population was 343 while the sample size was 196 respondents. Tools for collecting data were questionnaires, focus group discussion guide and observation schedule. Teachers filled in questionnaires; parents/caretakers participated in the focus group discussion while the observation guide was used for the learners as they worked. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed through NVivo software version 12. The major findings of the attributes according to the teachers, parents/caregiver’s include skills mastery, verbal persuasion, appreciation, energy flow and exposure. Teachers too felt that incorporating modern technology in teaching and learning can in a big way enhance self-efficacy of learners with IDD.