Trajectories of change in reading self-efficacy: A longitudinal analysis of self-efficacy and its sources

Pilvi Peura, Tuija Aro, Eija Räikkönen, Helena Viholainen, Tuire Koponen, Ellen L. Usher, Mikko Aro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

The beliefs children hold about their capabilities as readers are known to influence their reading achievement. The aim of this study was to extend previous work by examining trajectories of change in reading self-efficacy among primary school students (N = 1327) and the relations between the trajectories of self-efficacy and their hypothesized sources over 11 months. Using growth mixture modeling, we identified four trajectories of change in reading self-efficacy, involving increasing, stable, and declining trends. These trajectories of change in reading self-efficacy were associated with students’ varying experiences with the four sources of self-efficacy over time. Higher levels of mastery, verbal persuasion, and vicarious experiences and lower levels of physiological arousal were related to positive developmental trajectories of self-efficacy. Students with declining experiences of social sources of self-efficacy (i.e., verbal persuasions and vicarious experiences) had decreasing self-efficacy trajectories. These findings point to the importance of considering the variability in changes in reading self-efficacy and the interplay between changes in self-efficacy and sources of self-efficacy during primary school years, as well as the importance of monitoring these changes over time.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101947
JournalContemporary Educational Psychology
Volume64
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Primary school
  • Reading
  • Self-efficacy
  • Sources of self-efficacy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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