Adolescent Self-efficacy Research Articles

Too many friends, too little care: an exploration of the relational benefits and costs of friendship for academic self-efficacy, depression and anxiety in adolescence

ABSTRACT Our paper explores in a large Romanian sample (2168 adolescents) the relational costs and benefits of the number of friends at school. Using the MEDCURVE procedure to test the non-linear mediation effects, our results show that psychological safety, bullying and negative relations mediate the association between the number of friends and depression and anxiety, while social acceptance and bullying mediate the association between the number of friends and academic self-efficacy. In general, our results show that the relational benefits of friendship tend to diminish as the number of friends increase, in general over 9 friends (depending on the relational state) and parents, teachers and school counselors should help adolescents manage their number of friends in order to prevent the relational costs associated with engaging in too many (superficial) friendships.

The Relationship Between Adolescent Social Determinants Factors at the Various Parental Activities on Self-Efficacy for Choosing Healthy Foods

Background:Adolescent self-efficacy in choosing healthy foods is closely related to the incidence of obesity. According to WHO data, the obesity rate among children and adolescents increased from 18% to 19.3% between 2016 and 2021, and this rising trend is also observed in Indonesia. Understanding the factors that influence adolescents' eating habits is essential for comprehending their behavior in selecting healthy foods and designing effective interventions to promote healthier eating habits among this age group. Objective:This study aimed to determine the level of adolescent self-efficacy in choosing healthy foods and to examine the relationship between various social determinants such as gender, class, age, and parental activities and adolescent self-efficacy in selecting healthy foods. Additionally, this study tested parental activities as a moderating variable for factors significantly influencing adolescent self-efficacy in choosing healthy foods. Methods:A quantitative descriptive design was employed for this study. The population consisted of high school students, with a total of 408 respondents selected through non-probability cluster sampling. Data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate regression statistical tests. Results:The findings revealed that 57.8% of respondents exhibited a moderate level of self-efficacy in choosing healthy foods, 35.5% showed a strong level of self-efficacy, and 6.6% demonstrated a low level of self-efficacy. Age was the only variable significantly influencing adolescents' ability to choose healthy foods, with a significance level of 0.039 (P < 0.05). Parental activities were not found to significantly moderate the relationship between age and the level of self-efficacy in choosing healthy foods. Conclusion:Age is a significant factor influencing adolescent self-efficacy in choosing healthy foods. However, parental activities do not significantly moderate the relationship between age and adolescent self-efficacy in food selection. Keywords:Adolescent, Feeding Behavior, Meals, Parents, Social Determinants of Health.

Pathways Linking Maternal Anxious Rearing Behavior, Self-Efficacy, and Moral Motivation to Cyberbullying Outsider and Defender Behavior Among Adolescents

Objectives: The term “outsider behavior” refers to the practice of not responding to cyberbullying, while the term “defender behavior” involves reacting to the perpetrator’s actions and seeking assistance from friends to support the victims. This study examined behavior mechanisms in the context of cyberbullying, focusing on the role of maternal anxious rearing behavior and the mediating roles of adolescents’ self-efficacy and moral motivation.Methods: The study participants were 234 adolescents (Mage = 13.92, SD = .96) who witnessed cyberbullying while attending middle schools in South Korea. Adolescents’ perceived maternal anxious rearing behavior, self-efficacy, moral motivation, and cyberbullying outsider and defender behavior were measured using self-reported questionnaires. Data analyses were conducted to examine descriptive statistics using SPSS and a structural equation model using AMOS.Results: The results indicated that while maternal anxious rearing behavior is not directly associated with cyberbullying outsider behavior, it is significantly associated with lower levels of cyberbullying defender behavior. Higher levels of maternal anxious rearing behavior are associated with lower levels of self-efficacy in adolescents, leading to lower moral motivation, which, in turn, is associated with an increase in cyberbullying outsider behavior. In contrast, moral motivation is not significantly associated with cyberbullying defender behavior.Conclusion: Adopting an integrated perspective, our findings underscore pathways to shaping different cyberbullying behavior in adolescents linked with their perceived maternal anxious rearing behavior, self-efficacy, and moral motivation. These findings highlight the crucial role of maternal anxious rearing behavior in practical implications, suggesting the need for effective interventions when adolescents witness cyberbullying.

Self-Efficacy and Life Satisfaction in Adolescence: Testing the Presumed Role of Individualism–Collectivism

Previous studies suggest a positive association between self-efficacy and subjective well-being. However, these investigations depend on the dichotomy between East Asian and Western cultures, often without directly examining the influence of cultural orientation. This raises questions: How do the psychological benefits of adolescent self-efficacy vary across countries, and to what extent does this variance relate to countries’ cultural orientations? To address these questions, the current study analyzed a sample of 15-year-old students across 66 countries ( N = 427,584) drawn from the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) data. As expected, we found that higher self-efficacy was related to better life satisfaction among adolescents in every country studied. Notably, the beneficial role of self-efficacy varies based on cultural context: The relationship between self-efficacy and adolescent life satisfaction is stronger in individualistic than collectivistic countries. These findings suggest that cultural environment is important for understanding adolescent social-psychological well-being and potentially offer broader implications for global mental health initiatives.

Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Health Insurance Knowledge and Self-Efficacy in Adolescents and Young Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ObjectiveTo evaluate the status of health insurance knowledge and self-efficacy among adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease (AYA-IBD). Study designEnglish-proficient AYA-IBD >15 years receiving care at an academic pediatric practice were invited to perform the Kaiser Family Foundation survey on health information knowledge and the Health Insurance Literacy Measure. Analyses of responses by demographic factors were performed using nonparametric analyses and agreement analyses were performed to compare survey responses. ResultsFifty AYA-IBD (60% 15-17 years old; 54% male; 76% white; 32% Hispanic) completed the surveys. Most AYA-IBD (58%) answered less than half the health insurance knowledge questions correctly. Reported ability and confidence in choosing and using health insurance was slight to moderate (median 2.8 on Likert scale of 1[not at all confident] to 4 [very confident]). While health insurance knowledge scores did not vary by demographic factors, total health insurance self-efficacy increased with disease duration, and Hispanic participants reported reduced ability to select health insurance than non-Hispanic counterparts. ConclusionsAYA-IBD demonstrated suboptimal health insurance knowledge and self-efficacy. Our findings identify an important opportunity to provide health insurance education to help prepare all AYA-IBD to manage the costs of medical care during the transition process to adulthood

Understanding Gender Inequality in Political Self-Efficacy in Early Adolescents: Different Measures, Different Gender Gaps

Research has shown a persistent gender gap in political self-efficacy across most Western countries. Nevertheless, the regularity in these findings masks the diversity in the measures used to capture this construct and little reflection has been undertaken on the extent that changing the measures has on the size and the direction of the gender gap. This article tests on students aged 14 in 38 countries using the IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study, the extent that self-efficacy in the domain of politics is a unidimensional measure and if different gender gaps can be found between self-efficacy measures capturing partisan politics compared to broader citizenship self-efficacy measures. The findings show that it is only partisan political self-efficacy measures where there is a significant gender gap and where girls are disadvantaged. This is the case for 37 out of 38 countries and robust when controlling for different levels of political knowledge. When a broader measure of citizenship self-efficacy is used, there are much less gender differences, and when there is a significant difference, girls outperform boys in 14 out of 38 countries. These contrary findings are similar in the same study when comparing the measures on interest in politics and interest in social issues.

Psychological Well-Being and Self-Efficacy for Self-Regulated Learning.

This study explores psychological well-being in adolescence through a multidimensional perspective using the Adolescent Students' Basic Psychological Needs at School Scale, derived from the Self-Determination Theory. The ASBPNSS focuses on three basic psychological needs (Competence, Autonomy, and Relatedness) in adolescence and has not yet been used within the school context in Italy. This study's main objectives are: (1) to validate a preliminary Italian version of the ASBPNSS; (2) to analyze the association between well-being at school and self-efficacy for self-regulated learning; and (3) to verify whether there are differences by gender. A sample of 395 students (mean age = 17.5; SD = 0.75) completed the ASBPNSS and the Self-Efficacy for Self-Regulated Learning Scale. The factorial structure, composite reliability, and gender invariance of the ASBPNSS were examined. Associations between well-being at school and self-efficacy were tested with structural equation models (CFI = 0.935, TLI = 0.925; RMSEA = 0.054). Measures of well-being were associated with school self-efficacy for self-regulated learning, which predicted Competence (beta = 0.639), Relatedness (beta = 0.350), and Autonomy (beta = 0.309). These relationships were invariant over gender, although girls reported lower latent means in the Relatedness factor. This study highlights the importance of promoting school self-efficacy and well-being in adolescence.

Effects of an Online Health Management Program for South Korean Adolescents with Complex Congenital Heart Disease during Their Transition to Adulthood: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Adolescents with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk of experiencing complications later in life. The purpose of this study was to develop an online health management program for adolescents with complex CHD and to evaluate its effects on self-efficacy, health behavior, and health-related quality of life. A randomized controlled trial design was used. A total of 29 adolescents with complex CHD were divided into an experimental group of 15 and a control group of 14. Participants in the intervention group took part in the 4-week online health management program (weekly online group sessions, 1:1 phone coaching, dietary diary feedback, and provision of health information) developed based on self-efficacy theory, while those in the control group received standard medical follow-up. Data were collected from August 2021 to March 2022 using a questionnaire-including the Korean Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices: Health Self-Efficacy Measure (K-SRAHP) and Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory (PCQLI)-and an ActiGraph accelerometer to track physical activity and sleep. The intervention group showed significant improvements in health self-efficacy (p = 0.003), psychosocial impact (p = 0.013), daily step counts (p = 0.011), and moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (p = 0.027). Additionally, a decrease in weekend leisure time sedentary behavior (p = 0.035) was observed. However, there were no significant differences in sleep behavior between two groups. The online health management program significantly enhanced self-efficacy, health behavior, and psychosocial impact in adolescents with complex CHD. These findings will inform the development of policies for transitional medical care tailored to adolescents with complex CHD.

How Does Self Efficacy and Motivation Influence the Adoption of Sexual Abstinence among Students in Indonesia.

In adolescence, dating behavior may escalate into sexual contact which has implications for unwanted pregnancies followed by various negative effects. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of self-efficacy on adolescent motivation and analyze the influence of motivation on the adoption of Sexual Abstinence. This study is an observational analytic with a cross-sectional approach, sampling using the Multistage Cluster Random technique with a total of 299 respondents. The data analysis used is Structural Equation Model test at a significance of 0.05. The results showed that there was an influence of self-efficacy variable on motivation with a P value of 0.010 and there was no influence of the motivation variable on the adoption of sexual abstinence with a P value of 0.225. High self-efficacy in adolescents can increase adolescent motivation in adopting sexual abstinence behavior. It takes effort to increase self-efficacy in adolescents which can affect the motivation in adopting sexual abstinence.

Effect of an Intervention Based on the Health Action Process Approach Model on Mobile Phone Addiction in Adolescents

Background: Mobile phone addiction in adolescents is a serious social problem that not only negatively affects physical and mental health but also hinders social stability and development. However, studies on interventions for mobile phone addiction in adolescents are still few. Therefore, exploring interventions for mobile phone addiction in adolescents and scrutinizing the corresponding mechanism of action are crucial. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted on 800 adolescents who were recruited using random sampling from communities in Hubei Province, China in 2023, and 232 of them were identified to have mobile phone addiction. Then, they were randomly divided into the experiment group, comprising 119 members, and the control group, composed of 113 members. The experiment group was given a 3-month intervention under the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, whereas the control group was given no intervention. Results: This intervention significantly reduced the level of mobile phone addiction in adolescents (P<0.05). It also significantly improved self-efficacy in adolescents with mobile phone addiction (P<0.05). The intervention can significantly improved life satisfaction in adolescents with mobile phone addiction (P<0.05). Self-efficacy and life satisfaction had a chain mediating effect (P<0.001). Conclusion: The HAPA model is conducive to alleviating mobile phone addiction. It further enhances the intervention effect by improving self-efficacy and life satisfaction in adolescents.

Examining the interplay of self-efficacy and emotional autonomy on diabetic control index

AimThis study aims to explore the relationship between self-efficacy, emotional autonomy, and diabetic control index in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. MethodsFrom January to September 2023, this cross-sectional study involved 112 adolescents aged 14–18 with type 1 diabetes who were seeking medical check-ups at the Medical Faculty Hospital in Konya, Turkey. Data collection included demographic information, the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes, the Emotional Autonomy Scale, and diabetic control index values based on their most recent Hemoglobin A1c levels measurement. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software, with statistical significance set at a p-value <0.05. ResultsThe results showed a good overall self-efficacy score, indicating a balanced level of confidence in diabetes management. The emotional autonomy findings revealed a moderate level of independence, emphasizing a healthy process of differentiation from parents while acknowledging them as individuals. The ability of adolescents to openly discuss their diabetes may be associated with more favorable glycemic outcomes. However, high emotional autonomy was significantly associated with high Hemoglobin A1c levels. ConclusionThis study highlights positive outcomes in adolescent diabetes management, with strong self-efficacy and balanced emotional autonomy. Open communication about diabetes correlates with favorable glycemic outcomes, but caution is necessary as high emotional autonomy is linked to elevated Hemoglobin A1c levels. The importance of receiving parental support in managing diabetes, especially in adolescents with high emotional autonomy should be highlighted.

The Correlation of Participation to Sport, Social Self-efficacy and Social Anxiety in Adolescents

The Correlation of Participation to Sport, Social Self-efficacy and Social Anxiety in Adolescents

Career identity among children leaving out-of-home care: Implications on Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy

ObjectiveThis study explores the career identity and self-concept (self-esteem and self-efficacy) of adolescents leaving out-of-home care and also examines how these two constructs are associated. MethodData were from the 2021 Independent Living Settlement Compulsory Education for Adolescents Leaving Residential Out-of-Home Care Survey. The sample included 220 children living across Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) for profile classification, ANOVA for identifying group differences on career identity and self-concept, and multiple regression analysis to predict self-esteem and self-efficacy with different types of career identity. ResultsAdolescents with moderate to high career identity accounted for 76.4% of the sample and they were more likely to have higher levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy compared to those with lower career identity. For Self-Doubt group, it seemed that children had mixed feelings of self-doubt and some confidence although they reported quite reasonable levels of career exploration and preparation. In addition, adolescents with higher scores of good mental health were more likely to have higher levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy. ConclusionsAdolescents with higher levels of career identity tend to have better self-concept, such as high self-esteem and self-efficacy. An integrated intervention approach is essential for adolescents leaving out-of-home care building confidence in themselves as well as having a clear career path.

Adherence to physical activity recommendations and associations with self-efficacy among Norwegian adolescents: trends from 2017 to 2021

BackgroundThe crucial role of physical activity (PA) in promoting well-being and overall health of adolescents is widely acknowledged. Previous global studies have consistently revealed low adherence to PA recommendations among adolescents, emphasizing potential links between PA engagement and self-efficacy in school-based populations. However, there is a need for further exploration of this relationship, in particularly gender differences and taking into account the potential influences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of adherence to PA recommendations and its associations with self-efficacy in Norwegian school-based adolescents over the period from 2017 to 2021.MethodsCross-sectional data on physical activity (PA) levels and self-efficacy among 13–19-year-old Norwegian adolescents were collected from the Norwegian Ungdata Survey during the period 2017 to 2021. The survey, conducted in Norwegian lower- and upper-secondary schools, was administered electronically during school hours. All data collected is anonymous and has received approval from the Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research (SIKT). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.ResultsGirls consistently exhibited lower adherence to PA recommendations (17.6–19.8%) compared to boys (27.7–31.1%) each year from 2017 to 2021 (all p &amp;lt; 0.01). Similarly, girls reported lower self-efficacy (14.1 to 14.8 out of 20) than boys (15.5 to 15.9) during the same period (all p &amp;lt; 0.01). Regression analyses highlighted robust positive associations between PA and self-efficacy in those adhering to PA recommendations (i.e., physically active at least 5 times a week) and strong inverse associations for those reporting inactivity (never active) in both girls and boys from 2017 to 2021.ConclusionAdolescents in Norway report PA adherence ranging from 15 to 30%, with girls consistently exhibiting lower adherence to PA recommendations and reporting lower self-efficacy than boys. Notably, there are substantial associations between self-efficacy and both adherence to PA recommendations and inactivity over time. These findings underscore the significance of promoting adherence to PA recommendations during adolescence, especially among girls. Policymakers in Norway should focus on initiatives to increase PA levels among adolescents in both lower and upper secondary schools.

The Social Self-Efficacy Scale for Spanish and Portuguese (13–18-Year-Olds) Adolescents: Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance

Introduction: Social self-efficacy refers to peoples’ beliefs about their ability to establish effective social relationships. During adolescence, it has been related to positive social relationships, skills to cope with adverse experiences, and health. While prior research has focused on the general dimension of self-efficacy, this study aims to examine the reliability and validity of the subscale social self-efficacy in Spanish and Portuguese adolescents across gender, age, and country. Method: The sample, selected from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, was composed of 20,691 13–18-year-old adolescents from Spain and Portugal (48.2% boys and 51.8% girls). The scale’s reliability and internal and external validity were examined systemically across sex, age, and country, as well as testing measurement invariance according to these variables. Results: Data showed adequate evidence of reliability ( α = 0.85), as well as internal and external validity, thus demonstrating the scale’s stability and applicability in similar research contexts. Conclusions: Social self-efficacy fosters individual and social well-being in youth, as well as healthy and positive development. Use of this subscale in evaluation and intervention programs could further our understanding about different dimensions of adolescent development.

Parental support in nurturing self-efficacy: understanding youth expectations during early adolescence

This research investigates the impact of youth expectations and parental support on the self-efficacy of early adolescents in Madiun City, amid growing concerns about students’ struggles with self-confidence under academic pressures. Employing a quantitative approach, the study sampled 70 seventh-grade students from a broader demographic of over 8,000 across 14 junior high schools, a constraint imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were gathered through questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The findings underscore the profound effect of both adolescents’ expectations and parental support on their self-efficacy, highlighting these as significant predictors of students’ confidence in their ability to meet goals. This study’s implications are far-reaching, suggesting that educational and parental strategies focusing on enhancing positive expectations and robust support systems can play a critical role in improving self-efficacy among early adolescents. By addressing these factors, educators and parents can significantly contribute to bolstering students’ self-belief, potentially leading to improved academic outcomes and better psychological well-being.

위기청소년이 지각하는 부모의 양육태도와 심리상태 간의 관계: 부산광역시 사례를 중심으로

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between parents' parenting attitudes and internal psychological states such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction perceived by at-risk adolescents. For this purpose, 283 at-risk adolescents(165 females and 117 males) in Busan Metropolitan City were subjected to frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The main results were as follows. First, at-risk adolescents were found to have a positive perception of their parents' parenting attitudes overall, and their perceptions of self-esteem and self-efficacy were positive, while their perceptions of emotional regulation were somewhat negative. In addition, the perception of depression and anxiety was low, but life satisfaction was slightly higher than normal. Second, among parents' parenting attitudes, warmth and autonomy support were found to have a positive relationship with self-esteem, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, and life satisfaction of at-risk adolescents, and were found to have a negative relationship with depression and anxiety. In addition, rejection and coercion among parents' parenting attitudes were found to have a negative relationship with self-esteem, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, and life satisfaction of at-risk adolescents, and were found to have a negative relationship with depression and anxiety. Third, it was found that warmth among parents' parenting attitudes had a positive effect on self-esteem and life satisfaction of at-risk adolescents, and had a negative effect on depression. Coercion among parents' parenting attitudes was also found to have a positive effect on at-risk adolescents' self-esteem, and rejection among parents' parenting attitudes was found to have a negative effect on at-risk adolescents' self-efficacy and life satisfaction, and had a static effect on anxiety. On the other hand, it was found that parents' parenting attitude did not have a statistically significant effect on the emotional regulation of at-risk adolescents. Based on the main results, implications for parent education were presented.

Examining the relationship between self-efficacy, career development, and subjective wellbeing in physical education students

We investigated the relationship between self-efficacy and career development via subjective well-being of students majoring in physical education. Life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect were the componennts of subjective well-being. Participants were the 1381 adolescents with major in physical education with an age range of 18–22 years (Mage = 19.5 ± 1; females = 34.76%). Hayes PROCESS model was used to develop a multiple mediation model. The results suggest that higher self-efficacy leads to better career development. Further, a significant mediating role was played by negative and positive affect in case of the relationship between self-efficacy and career exploration, but life-satisfaction is not significant mediator. Conversely, life satisfaction and positive affect are significant mediators between self-efficacy and career adaptability but negative affect is not. The findings suggest that self-efficacy and subjective well-being benefit career development of adolescents in the physical education field.

Linking parental self-efficacy, parenting behaviour and mental health of Malaysian early adolescents

Linking parental self-efficacy, parenting behaviour and mental health of Malaysian early adolescents

Effectiveness of Emotional Regulation Training on Quality of Life, Self-efficacy, and Problem-solving in Adolescents

Objectives: Teenage drug addiction is one of the most severe issues, leading to various physical, social, and educational damage and consequences. The present study determines the effectiveness of emotional regulation training on quality of life (QoL), self-efficacy, and problem-solving skills in substance-dependent adolescents. Methods: This semi-experimental study utilized a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population was male adolescents who reported to addiction treatment centers of the Tehran Welfare Organization between November and February of 2018 in Tehran City, Iran. The statistical sample of the research consisted of 30 teenagers (aged 15 to 19 years) who were drug addicts. They were selected for treatment based on the stage of change screening. The present research data were collected using the World Health Organization (WHO) QoL (1996), self-efficacy (Schwartz and Jer Vasalem, 1983), and problem-solving skills (Hippner and Peterson, 1982) questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the repeated measure analysis of variance method via the SPSS software, version 22. Results: Emotional regulation training was effective in increasing the QoL (F=39.49, P&lt;0.001), self-efficacy (F=136.80, P&lt;0.001), and problem-solving skills (F=71.59, P&lt;0.001) in substance-dependent adolescents. Discussion: Emotional regulation training is practical for the QoL, self-efficacy, and problemsolving skills of substance-dependent adolescents. This training can be used to reduce the psychological problems of substance-dependent adolescents.