Exploring the relationship between self-efficacy and aggression in a group of adolescents in the peri-urban town of Worcester
Date
2008-03
Authors
Willemse, Michele
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
Adolescence is a trying developmental stage and the high levels of violence that many adolescents are exposed to in South Africa could negatively influence their well-being. Self-efficacy is reported to be an important protective factor for adolescent well-being. Hence, the first aim of this study was to determine the nature of the relationship between perceived self-efficacy and self-reported aggression in an adolescent sample. The second aim was to explore whether there are differences in perceived self-efficacy and self-reported aggression pertaining to gender, age and residential area respectively.
Three high schools in the peri-urban area of Worcester from mid to low socio-economic communities were selected and 344 (13 – 19 years) Afrikaans speaking high school learners were randomly sampled. The Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Children and the Aggression Questionnaire were used to measure self-efficacy and aggression.
The findings from this research indicate that there was a significant negative relationship between self-efficacy and aggression. However, a positive correlation was found between emotional self-efficacy, verbal aggression and hostility for the total group. Females and peri-urban adolescents scored significantly higher in the total self-efficacy scale and subscales, namely, academic, social and emotional self-efficacy than the males and rural adolescents. Males also reported significantly higher physical aggression scores than females, whereas females reported significantly higher hostility scores.
Description
Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008.
Keywords
Aggression, Self-efficacy, Adolescent, Gender differences, Teenagers -- South Africa -- Worcester -- Attitudes, Aggressiveness in adolescence -- South Africa -- Worcester, Self-efficacy, Dissertations -- Psychology, Theses -- Psychology