Explaining variance in self-efficacy among adolescents: the association between mastery experiences, social support, and self-efficacy

BMC Public Health

Research

Anne Mari Steigen¹  Hanne Søberg Finbråten¹  Annette Løvheim Kleppang² 

[1] Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway;Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway;Department of Health and Nursing Science, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway;

关键词: Adolescents;    Mastery experiences;    Self-efficacy;    Social support;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-023-16603-w

 received in 2023-04-11, accepted in 2023-08-24,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSelf-efficacy has been identified as an important health-promoting factor for both physical and mental health. Previous studies have examined self-efficacy as a moderating factor between negative psychosocial influences and various outcomes, e.g., life satisfaction and stressors. There is, however, limited knowledge about factors that strengthen self-efficacy. The aim of this study is to examine the association between mastery experiences, social support, and self-efficacy among adolescents in secondary schools in Norway.MethodsThis study is based on cross-sectional data from the Ungdata surveys conducted in eastern part of Norway in 2021. The sample comprises 9,221 adolescents aged 13–16. Sequential multivariate linear regression was conducted to explore the association between mastery experiences, social support, and self-efficacy.ResultsThe final model (Model 3) explains 25% of the total variance in self-efficacy. The indicators concerning mastery experiences – defined here as the personal experience of success – explain more of the observed variance in self-efficacy than the other independent variables (change in R square = 10.7%). The items ‘felt mastering things’ ‘and ‘felt useful’ make the strongest and most significant contributions to the variance in self-efficacy in the final model (β = 0.25, p < 0.001 and β = 0.16, p < 0.001, respectively), followed by the variables ‘support from friends’ and ‘parental support’ (β = 0.06, p < 0.001 an β = 0.06, p < 0.001).ConclusionsMastery experiences are potential sources for creating and strengthening self-efficacy. Awareness of the health-promoting potential in (strengthening) self-efficacy among adolescents is important. Additional research is needed to further explore these associations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023