Meaning in life, connectedness, academic self-efficacy, and personal self-efficacy: A winning combination

2020 ◽  
pp. 014303432097337
Author(s):  
Mantak Yuen ◽  
Jesus Alfonso D. Datu

Limited research has been conducted so far to explore how meaning in life can promote key academic and psychological benefits in a school context. The research reported here aimed to address this issue by assessing how meaning in life is associated with dimensions of connectedness, academic self-efficacy (Study 1) and personal self-efficacy (Study 2). Participants were two samples of Hong Kong secondary school students. Study 1 revealed that meaning in life was associated with a higher level of connectedness to parents, school, peers, and teachers, and academic self-efficacy (study skills, time management, critical and creative thinking, and involvement in learning). Most connectedness dimensions were linked to lower academic self-efficacy, apart from connectedness to school. Study 2 showed that meaning in life was linked to higher levels of connectedness and personal self-efficacy dimensions (positive self-concept, problem-solving, self-management, and self-reflection). Apart from connectedness to school, other connectedness dimensions were associated with lower personal self-efficacy. Across studies, meaning in life had indirect effects on both self-efficacy through the mediating influence of connectedness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Author(s):  
Patricio Galleguillos-Herrera ◽  
Eva Olmedo-Moreno

The purpose of the current investigation is the construction and validation of the Self-Efficacy Scale (ACAES) through a deliberate sample of 1101 Chilean school students. The methodological procedure was carried out from the classic approach perspective of the theory of the test, complementing the exploratory factor analysis with the models of the structural equation modeling (SEM). The exploratory factor analysis of the 18 statements of the scale showed a structure of 3 factors, namely: confidence in the task; effort made in performing the task and comprehension of the task. The statistics associated to the instrument show a 57.037% of explained variance and a Cronbach alpha of the total scale of 0.917. At confirmatory level (SEM), the model obtained a goodness degree of global adjustment (Chi Square /gl) equal to 2.87, a RMSEA equal to 0.049, as well as, adequate adjustment index, namely, CFI=0.963; IFI=0.963 and RMSR (standardised)=0.0359. The psychometric properties account for a valid and reliable instrument for measurement of academic self-efficacy in school context, as well as, to facilitate cognitive and metacognitive processes as self-regulatory learning strategy.


2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2156759X0801100
Author(s):  
Chinwe J. Uwah ◽  
H. George McMahon ◽  
Carolyn F. Furlow

While academic self-efficacy is widely considered an individual cognitive variable, it may be influenced by a sense of belonging and connection to others in the school community. Using a correlation and multiple regression design, the study in this article examined the relationship between perceptions of school belonging, educational aspirations, and academic self-efficacy among 40 African American male high school students. Results indicated that feeling encouraged to participate and educational aspirations were significant, positive predictors of academic self-efficacy. Other components of perceptions of school belonging were not significant in predicting academic self-efficacy. Recommendations for future research and practical suggestions for school counselors are discussed.


Author(s):  
T. Hailikari ◽  
N. Katajavuori ◽  
H. Asikainen

AbstractProcrastination is consistently viewed as problematic to academic success and students’ general well-being. There are prevailing questions regarding the underlying and maintaining mechanisms of procrastination which are yet to be learnt. The aim of the present study was to combine different ways to explain procrastination and explore how students’ time and effort management skills, psychological flexibility and academic self-efficacy are connected to procrastination as they have been commonly addressed separately in previous studies. The data were collected from 135 students who participated in a voluntary time management and well-being course in autumn 2019. The results showed that students’ ability to organize their time and effort has the strongest association with procrastination out of the variables included in the study. Psychological flexibility also has a strong individual role in explaining procrastination along with time and effort management skills. Surprisingly, academic self-efficacy did not have a direct association with procrastination. Interestingly, our findings further suggest that time and effort management and psychological flexibility are closely related and appear to go hand in hand and, thus, both need to be considered when the aim is to reduce procrastination. The implications of the findings are further discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-267
Author(s):  
Yangyang Liu ◽  
Zuhong Lu

The present study sought to examine the relationship between Chinese high school students’ academic self-efficacy and their academic-related boredom. Another objective was to explore the moderating effects of mono-amine-oxidase type A ( MAOA) gene polymorphism on this relationship. In a sample of 514 Chinese high school students, we measured their academic self-efficacy and academic-related boredom from Grades 10 to 12. In addition, we collected their DNA. Data were analyzed by using a linear mixture model. The results indicated that students’ academic self-efficacy negatively predicted their academic-related boredom. The relationship between academic self-efficacy and academic-related boredom was more reliable for students with the 3-repeat allele than for the students with the 4-repeat allele. The findings suggested that the functional polymorphism of MAOA gene moderated the relationship between academic self-efficacy and academic-related boredom.


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