Abstract
Self-efficacy, defined as an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed in certain situations, is a critical aspect of child development that significantly impacts various areas of life, including academic performance, social interactions, and emotional well-being. The importance of self-efficacy in children is highlighted by its role in promoting the resilience and motivation necessary to overcome childhood and later challenges. Recent research on self-efficacy intervention programs for children has highlighted various strategies and their effectiveness in increasing self-efficacy in different contexts. Self-efficacy in children appears to be a vital component that affects children’s academic achievement, social interactions, and emotional resilience. Understanding and improving the factors that affect children’s self-efficacy will increase the number of healthier and more successful individuals in society for parents, educators, and policy makers. In this context, interventions, educational tactics, and programs designed to increase self-efficacy levels in children and adolescents will be systematically reviewed. This study aims to clarify whether the current state of the research is suitable for a systematic review. A comprehensive search was conducted using the terms ‘self-efficacy, children’ and ‘intervention’ in databases such as EBSCOhost, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and DergiPark applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The initial search yielded 122.829 studies spanning from 2015 to 2025. The planned review aims to provide a new perspective for educators and practitioners by providing a comprehensive analysis of interventions in different areas for the development of self-efficacy. Considering the significant amount of studies in this area, researchers need to conduct an extensive literature review. A thorough review of existing literature can provide resources for new research and can also inspire the design of new interventions and prevention measures in this area.
Keywords
References
- Artino, A. R. (2012). Academic self-efficacy: from educational theory to instructional practice. Perspectives on medical education, 1, 76-85. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40037-012-0012-5
- Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
- Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall; 1986.
- Bergman, M. E., Gross, J. P., Berry, M., & Shuck, B. (2018). If the evidence is strong, why don’t more scholars cite it? Self-efficacy, research visibility, and citation rates in social science. Studies in Higher Education, 43(9), 1591–1604.
- Bozgün, K. & Pekdoğan, S. (2018). The self-efficacy as predictors of the metacognition skills in children. Journal of Education and Future, 14, 57-69. https://doi.org/10.30786/jef.390814
- Cera, R., Mancini, M., & Antonietti, A. (2013). Relationships between metacognition, self-efficacy and self-regulation in learning. Journal of Educational, Cultural and Psychological Studies (ECPS Journal), 4(7), 115-141.
- Cunningham, H. M., & Card, N. A. (2014). Interventions to improve the self-efficacy of youth: A meta-analysis. Youth & Society, 46(4), 778–797.
- Curelaru, V., Muntele-Hendres, D., Diac, G., & Duca, D. (2020). Children’s and mothers’ achievement goal orientations and self-efficacy: dyadic contributions to students’ well-being. Sustainability, 12(5), 1785. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051785
- Çınar, N. (2021). İyi bir sistematik derleme nasıl yazılmalı? Online Turkish Journal of Health Sciences, 6(2), 310-314.
- Isa, T, I., Ueda, Y., Nakamura, R., Misu, S., & Ono, R. (2018). Relationship between the intention–behavior gap and self-efficacy for physical activity during childhood. Journal of Child Health Care, 23(1), 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367493518777297
- Kim, Y., Lee, C., Lu, W., & Mendoza, J. A. (2017). Attitudinal, behavioral, and environmental correlates of child and parent self-efficacy in walking to school. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(12), 1588. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14121588
- Klassen, R. M. (2004). Optimism and realism: A review of self-efficacy from a cross-cultural perspective. International Journal of Psychology, 39(3), 205–230.
- Kocaaslan, E. N. and Kostak, M. A. (2019). Effect of disease management education on the quality of life and self‐efficacy levels of children with asthma. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/jspn.12241
- Long, Z., Wang, K., Wang, H., Yao, W., & Liu, C. (2023). Effect of a mental health education intervention on children’s life satisfaction and self-confidence in rural china. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1277139
- Lu, W., McKyer, E. L. J., Lee, C., Ory, M. G., Goodson, P., & Wang, S. (2015). Children’s active commuting to school: an interplay of self-efficacy, social economic disadvantage, and environmental characteristics. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0190-8
- Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman D. G., (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PloS Medicine. 6(7).
- Moksnes, U. K., Eilertsen, M. B., Ringdal, R., Bjørnsen, H. N., & Rannestad, T. (2018). Life satisfaction in association with self‐efficacy and stressor experience in adolescents – self‐efficacy as a potential moderator. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 33(1), 222-230. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12624
- Nursanti, L., Salimo, H., & Cilmiaty, R. (2023). Correlation between mother's self-efficacy, nutrient intake, and height of age z-score (haz). Journal of Medical and Health Studies, 4(3), 43-49. https://doi.org/10.32996/jmhs.2023.4.3.6
- Ouzzani, M., Hammady, H., Fedorowicz, Z., & Elmagarmid, A. (2016). Rayyan: A Web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 5(1), 210. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4.
- Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., McGuinness, L. A., Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. PLoS Medicine, 18(3), e1003583. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003583.
- Raskauskas, J., Rubiano, S., Offen, I., & Wayland, A. K. (2015). Do social self-efficacy and self-esteem moderate the relationship between peer victimization and academic performance? Social Psychology of Education, 18(2), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11218-015-9292-Z
- Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., Burke, K. M., & Palmer, S. B. (2020). The impact of interventions to promote self-determination on youth with disabilities: A systematic review. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 43(1), 56–71.
- Usher, E. L., & Pajares, F. (2008). Sources of self-efficacy in school: Critical review of the literature and future directions. Review of Educational Research, 78(4), 751–796.
- Zhou, Z., Zhou, Y., Ferraro, F., Hooton, A., & Ribchester, C. (2023). The effects of latino dance intervention on academic and general self-efficacy with left-behind children: an experimental study in china. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1107233
Abstract
Self-efficacy, defined as an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed in certain situations, is a critical aspect of child development that significantly impacts various areas of life, including academic performance, social interactions, and emotional well-being. The importance of self-efficacy in children is highlighted by its role in promoting the resilience and motivation necessary to overcome childhood and later challenges. Recent research on self-efficacy intervention programs for children has highlighted various strategies and their effectiveness in increasing self-efficacy in different contexts. Self-efficacy in children appears to be a vital component that affects children’s academic achievement, social interactions, and emotional resilience. Understanding and improving the factors that affect children’s self-efficacy will increase the number of healthier and more successful individuals in society for parents, educators, and policy makers. In this context, interventions, educational tactics, and programs designed to increase self-efficacy levels in children and adolescents will be systematically reviewed. This study aims to clarify whether the current state of the research is suitable for a systematic review. A comprehensive search was conducted using the terms ‘self-efficacy, children’ and ‘intervention’ in databases such as EBSCOhost, Web of Science and Scopus, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The initial search yielded 120,518 studies spanning from 1995 to 2025. The planned review aims to provide a new perspective for educators and practitioners by providing a comprehensive analysis of interventions in different areas for the development of self-efficacy. Considering the significant amount of studies in this area, it is important for researchers to conduct a comprehensive literature review. A thorough review of existing literature can provide resources for new research and can also inspire the design of new interventions and prevention measures in this area.
Keywords
References
- Artino, A. R. (2012). Academic self-efficacy: from educational theory to instructional practice. Perspectives on medical education, 1, 76-85. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40037-012-0012-5
- Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
- Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall; 1986.
- Bergman, M. E., Gross, J. P., Berry, M., & Shuck, B. (2018). If the evidence is strong, why don’t more scholars cite it? Self-efficacy, research visibility, and citation rates in social science. Studies in Higher Education, 43(9), 1591–1604.
- Bozgün, K. & Pekdoğan, S. (2018). The self-efficacy as predictors of the metacognition skills in children. Journal of Education and Future, 14, 57-69. https://doi.org/10.30786/jef.390814
- Cera, R., Mancini, M., & Antonietti, A. (2013). Relationships between metacognition, self-efficacy and self-regulation in learning. Journal of Educational, Cultural and Psychological Studies (ECPS Journal), 4(7), 115-141.
- Cunningham, H. M., & Card, N. A. (2014). Interventions to improve the self-efficacy of youth: A meta-analysis. Youth & Society, 46(4), 778–797.
- Curelaru, V., Muntele-Hendres, D., Diac, G., & Duca, D. (2020). Children’s and mothers’ achievement goal orientations and self-efficacy: dyadic contributions to students’ well-being. Sustainability, 12(5), 1785. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051785
- Çınar, N. (2021). İyi bir sistematik derleme nasıl yazılmalı? Online Turkish Journal of Health Sciences, 6(2), 310-314.
- Isa, T, I., Ueda, Y., Nakamura, R., Misu, S., & Ono, R. (2018). Relationship between the intention–behavior gap and self-efficacy for physical activity during childhood. Journal of Child Health Care, 23(1), 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367493518777297
- Kim, Y., Lee, C., Lu, W., & Mendoza, J. A. (2017). Attitudinal, behavioral, and environmental correlates of child and parent self-efficacy in walking to school. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(12), 1588. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14121588
- Klassen, R. M. (2004). Optimism and realism: A review of self-efficacy from a cross-cultural perspective. International Journal of Psychology, 39(3), 205–230.
- Kocaaslan, E. N. and Kostak, M. A. (2019). Effect of disease management education on the quality of life and self‐efficacy levels of children with asthma. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/jspn.12241
- Long, Z., Wang, K., Wang, H., Yao, W., & Liu, C. (2023). Effect of a mental health education intervention on children’s life satisfaction and self-confidence in rural china. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1277139
- Lu, W., McKyer, E. L. J., Lee, C., Ory, M. G., Goodson, P., & Wang, S. (2015). Children’s active commuting to school: an interplay of self-efficacy, social economic disadvantage, and environmental characteristics. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0190-8
- Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman D. G., (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PloS Medicine. 6(7).
- Moksnes, U. K., Eilertsen, M. B., Ringdal, R., Bjørnsen, H. N., & Rannestad, T. (2018). Life satisfaction in association with self‐efficacy and stressor experience in adolescents – self‐efficacy as a potential moderator. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 33(1), 222-230. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12624
- Nursanti, L., Salimo, H., & Cilmiaty, R. (2023). Correlation between mother's self-efficacy, nutrient intake, and height of age z-score (haz). Journal of Medical and Health Studies, 4(3), 43-49. https://doi.org/10.32996/jmhs.2023.4.3.6
- Ouzzani, M., Hammady, H., Fedorowicz, Z., & Elmagarmid, A. (2016). Rayyan: A Web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 5(1), 210. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4.
- Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., McGuinness, L. A., Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. PLoS Medicine, 18(3), e1003583. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003583.
- Raskauskas, J., Rubiano, S., Offen, I., & Wayland, A. K. (2015). Do social self-efficacy and self-esteem moderate the relationship between peer victimization and academic performance? Social Psychology of Education, 18(2), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11218-015-9292-Z
- Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., Burke, K. M., & Palmer, S. B. (2020). The impact of interventions to promote self-determination on youth with disabilities: A systematic review. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 43(1), 56–71.
- Usher, E. L., & Pajares, F. (2008). Sources of self-efficacy in school: Critical review of the literature and future directions. Review of Educational Research, 78(4), 751–796.
- Zhou, Z., Zhou, Y., Ferraro, F., Hooton, A., & Ribchester, C. (2023). The effects of latino dance intervention on academic and general self-efficacy with left-behind children: an experimental study in china. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1107233
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Learning Theories |
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | July 1, 2025 |
| Publication Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | January 4, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | June 19, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 1 |
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