A 6-year longitudinal study of self-efficacy in Chinese secondary school students in Hong Kong

This study examined the development of self-efficacy in the high school years and the related socio-demographic and family correlates. A longitudinal research design was used to collect data from students in Grade 7 to Grade 12. At each wave, students responded to measures of socio-demographic characteristics (gender, economic disadvantage and non-intactness), family processes (family functioning and parent-child relational quality), academic and school competence and self-efficacy. Results showed that self-efficacy increased in the adolescent years. Regarding socio-demographic predictors, economic disadvantage and family non-intactness were related to adolescent self-efficacy. Findings also showed that family processes (family functioning and parent-child subsystem quality) and academic and school competence were related to adolescent self-efficacy but the nature of relationships was more complex than expected.