Exploring the sources of self-efficacy by Flemish school principals in primary education

Author(s):  
Lore Bellemans ◽  
Geert Devos

Self-efficacy is a perceived judgment that one has the ability to execute a course of action that brings about a desired result. While a growing body of research demonstrates the importance of self-efficacy by school leaders, little is known about the different sources of principals’ self-efficacy. This qualitative study investigates the relevance of Bandura’s sources of self-efficacy and on potential additional sources. The analysis is based on semi-structured interviews with 23 primary school principals in Flanders (Belgium). The results reveal that mastery experiences prove to be the most powerful source of principal self-efficacy although they are mainly small successes and do not refer to extraordinary achievements or excellent results. This study also emphasizes the importance of verbal or social persuasion and gaining knowledge. Suggestions for further research, limitations and implications of this study are discussed.

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yael Grinshtain ◽  
Dan Gibton

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how primary school principals in Israel cope with the gaps between authority and responsibility in their work, deriving from partially implemented decentralization processes, and how this relates to school-based management (SBM) and accountability principles. Design/methodology/approach Using the qualitative method, 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted with school principals from one district in Israel. Thematic analysis was used in order to identify themes in the interviews that enable creating codes for the characteristics of authority and responsibility and for the principals’ strategies. Findings Gaps were found between authority and responsibility, with particularly low levels of authority alongside high levels of responsibility. Coupled with the demand for accountability, those gaps led principals to adopt three strategies – active, partly active, and passive – to help reduce the tension resulting from them. The SBM definition has links to the specific strategy that principals used. Originality/value The results indicate the importance of clear definitions of authority and responsibility in principals’ work. The current study deepens the understanding of the gaps between these concepts as key for understanding accountability at decentralized schools; tensions that principals cope with as a result of those gaps; and the strategies that enable principals to ease the tension for the benefit of all those involved in the principals’ work.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (03) ◽  
pp. 1550018 ◽  
Author(s):  
GLORIA L. SWEIDA ◽  
JEREMY ALAN WOODS

The aim of this paper is to examine the potential differences in the entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) of female entrepreneurs who own businesses in gender congruent and incongruent industries. Through the lens of social role theory the four antecedents of efficacy are examined. The results of ten in-depth, qualitative interviews show there are overarching similarities in all factors between the groups but nuanced differences in the areas of mastery experiences, social persuasion and vicarious learning. Differences were also found in the areas of social comparisons and perceived gender stereotypes. The paper discusses how ESE manifests for female entrepreneurs based on the gender congruency of the industry in which her business operates. Last, areas for future research are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-236
Author(s):  
Kevin Dadaczynski ◽  
Peter Paulus ◽  
David Horstmann

Objective: This study aimed to investigate individual and work-related resources (decision latitude, self-efficacy and work-related sense of coherence) and their relationship to health and work outcomes (general health, cognitive and emotional irritation, and work satisfaction) among German school principals. Method: In 2016, all teachers and principals in Lower Saxony, Germany, were invited to participate in an online-based cross-sectional study. Data from a sub-set of 1,026 school principals and members of the school leadership team (i.e. vice principals) were analysed using univariate and bivariate analysis and stepwise linear regression. Results: Findings revealed fairly high levels of self-efficacy and decision latitude and low levels of sense of coherence for administrative tasks. With regards to health, more than one quarter of respondents reported a poor general health status, and more than one third reported being dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their work. Primary school principals were more often affected by low levels of resources as well as lower health status and work satisfaction. Based on a series of regression analyses, decision latitude and self-efficacy proved to be the strongest predictors of all health and work outcomes. Conclusion: Given that school leaders are of critical importance for their entire school, this professional group should be placed more firmly in the focus of school health education and promotion. There is a particular need for health promotion measures for primary school principals, who have the least resources and the lowest health status.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-150
Author(s):  
Roberto Tadeu Iaochite ◽  
Samuel de Souza Neto

In the teaching domain, self-efficacy (SE) is related to teachers' judgment about their own ability to achieve learning outcomes and student engagement. SE is formed by four sources of information: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasion, and psychophysiological states. We measured and analyzed SE and its sources for teaching physical education. Student teachers (n = 114) from three universities responded to two Likert scales - Physical Education Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale and Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale Sources - and a social demographic questionnaire. SE for teaching was classified as moderate, and vicarious experiences and social persuasion were the main sources of information. Results were discussed for future researches related to teaching practices in undergraduate programs as well as in-service teacher training.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Mkhomi Moses Sipho ◽  
Mavuso Mzuyanda Percival

This paper investigated the perceptions of three selected South African primary school principals based in Jabulane - Soweto on School-based Violence (SBV).The qualitative research approach was used with participants purposively selected from three primary schools. The study was based on the interpretive paradigm, and as such the semi-structured interviews were conducted with the selected school principals. The data collected from participants was analysed and categorised into themes. The collected data gave the participants’ perceptions on the role of intergroup conflicts, and how it perpetuates school-based violence. The paper is underpinned by Social Conflict Theory.   Received: 5 August 2021 / Accepted: 15 September 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021


Author(s):  
Goudarz Alibakhshi ◽  
Fariborz Nikdel ◽  
Akram Labbafi

AbstractTeacher self-efficacy has been abundantly studied. However, it seems that the consequences of teachers’ self-efficacy have not been appropriately explored yet. The research objective was to investigate the consequences of teachers’ teaching self-efficacy. The researchers used a qualitative research method. They collected the data through semi-structured interviews with 20 EFL teachers who were selected through purposive sampling. The interviews were content analyzed thematically. Findings showed that self-efficacy has different consequences: pedagogical, learner-related, and psychological. Each consequence has several sub-categories. It is concluded that high self-efficacy affects teachers’ teaching practices, learners’ motivation, and achievement. It also affects teachers’ burn-out status, psychological being, as well as their job satisfaction. The findings can be theoretically and pedagogically important to EFL teachers, teacher-trainers, and administrators of educational settings.


Author(s):  
Ryuichi Ohta ◽  
Yoshinori Ryu ◽  
Jun Kitayuguchi ◽  
Chiaki Sano ◽  
Karen D. Könings

In this mixed-methods study, we hypothesized that social cognitive theory (SCT)-based educational interventions for healthcare participation can improve the self-efficacy of older rural citizens in participating in their health management without any difficulties. Quasi-experimental study before and after SCT-based educational interventions and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Participants were Japanese elderly (>65 years) from rural communities. Propensity score matching was performed to estimate the effectiveness of educational interventions on participants’ perception (intervention: n = 156; control: n = 121). Interview contents were transcribed verbatim and analyzed based on thematic analysis. The intervention group scored significantly higher than the control group for participation in planning and managing self-care. Interviews revealed three themes: ability to manage health conditions, relationship with medical professionals, and relationship among citizens. Participants reported difficulties in judging symptoms and communicating with medical professionals. Hierarchy and low motivation to participate in healthcare hindered collaboration. The findings suggest that SCT-based educational interventions can positively impact rural citizens’ self-efficacy in healthcare participation.


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