Self-efficacy and Future Adult Roles: Gender Differences in Adolescents’ Perceptions

• In Event: 153 - Section on Children and Youth Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 06. Youth and Employment

Abstract

While previous studies have examined perceptions of self-efficacy, relatively few have focused upon how such perceptions develop during the adolescent years. Using a national sample of high school seniors, this study examines the nature of adolescents’ perceptions of self-efficacy, as such perceptions are related to future spousal, parental, and worker roles. Building upon a framework of life-course and ecological theories, both familial and individuals factors are shown to be significantly associated with perceptions of self-efficacy among adolescents. Among boys, risk-taking behaviors, such as alcohol consumption and delinquency, are shown to be linked to perceptions of self-efficacy. Among girls, an interweave between future spousal and parental roles is suggested. The implications of these findings, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.

Authors

• Patricia Neff Claster, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

• Sampson Lee Blair, SUNY-Buffalo