The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of self-efficacy in older adults, with physical activity, age, and sex as the predictor variables. Regression analyses revealed physical activity to be the only statistically significant predictor of self-efficacy. These findings may be of interest to counselors who work with older people.…

Reports on the results of a study investigating when the erosion of children's interest in science starts. Focuses on elementary education and suggests clear differences between boys and girls in their attitudes toward school science. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/YDS)

Examines the development of social networks from middle childhood to adolescence based on a longitudinal sample of 100 children. Age changes, sex differences, and the relation between network characteristics and self-perceived competence are considered. Adolescent girls' social networks are larger than boys' and are also more related to specific…

Evaluates sex and ethnic differences in perceived career-related and educational barriers and coping efficacy among college students (N=286). Results reveal that women and ethnic minorities anticipated significantly more career-related barriers. Ethnic minorities also exhibited more perceived educational barriers and lower self-efficacy for coping…

This article reports the results of a study of Master's degree students concerning the role of individual differences in Internet searching, including cognitive styles, levels of prior experience, Internet perceptions, study approaches, age, and gender. Discusses retrieval effectiveness and self-efficacy and suggests implications for system…

This article discusses the application of self-efficacy beliefs on career development. This theory was introduced by Hackett and Betz (1981) and has received many extensive studies. There are many factors that may influence career self-efficacy such as gender, culture, parental, and family backgrounds. The methods of increasing career…

Examined the relation of Greek 4th- to 6th-grade students' loneliness and social dissatisfaction in school to self-efficacy for peer interaction. Found that loneliness was marginally higher for older students and girls. School achievement was negatively related to social dissatisfaction. (JPB)

Race, gender, and career motivation, their interactions, a self-efficacy measure, and the six Holland codes were examined for relationships with choosing a teaching career. Respondents motivated by either personal satisfaction or former role models were more likely to choose teaching than those motivated by financial reward. Holland's social…

Nontraditional college students (N=66) participated in a career counseling workshop based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory. Results suggest that participation in the workshop had a significant, positive effect on career decision-making self-efficacy across levels of age, sex, year in college, and family income. (Author/MKA)

Career self-efficacy as a component of career development has been an important research topic. Measurement of the self-efficacy construct has been a concern since inception of research in this area. The question is whether instruments will be measuring the same construct across groups whose experiences in acquiring efficacy expectations may be…

The generality of academic self-efficacy judgments was compared between groups of students with different personal characteristics, using the sample drawn from a previous study (M. Bong, 1997) (n=383). Confirmatory factor analyses showed that boys demonstrated more comparable strengths of self-efficacy across the academic domains compared to…

This study examined whether there were gender and ethnic differences in students' willingness to delay gratification, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, self-efficacy beliefs, use of cognitive strategies (such as rehearsal, organization, elaboration, and metacognition), and use of learning strategies (help seeking, time management, effort…

The authors describe the construction of the Career-Related Parent Support Scale and examine the validity of the scale scores within a sample of at-risk middle school adolescents. Four empirically distinct parent support factors were confirmed along A. Bandura's sources of self-efficacy information. Gender and ethnic differences in perceived…

Examined age and gender differences in leadership aspirations among adolescents (N=130) by measuring overall leadership aspirations, valence-instrumentality expectancies for leadership outcomes, self-efficacy perceptions, and attributions of effective leadership. Found significant gender differences in valence scores and age differences in…

Explores experiences of 11 students of color in an educational administration doctoral program, identifying major themes. Informants felt faculty must represent and read works of other cultures; racial and gender issues are inseparable; diversity is multifaceted; apprehension often accompanies matriculation; and self-efficacy increases with…