Self-efficacy, Locus of Control and Life Satisfaction among Young People 2016

The Executive Office (TEO) today published 2016 estimates for children aged 11 to 16 (School Years 8 to 12) in Northern Ireland for three metrics:

• Self-efficacy
• Locus of Control
• Life Satisfaction

Separate scales were used to measure these metrics for children in Year 8, and children in Years 9 to 12. As a result, direct comparisons between the two age groups cannot be made.

Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is defined as a person’s belief about their capabilities to exercise influence over events that affect their lives. Those with high self efficacy are seen as confident in their capabilities and produce sustained efforts to achieve their goals. In contrast, those with low self-efficacy often doubt their capabilities, are less ambitious and give up on their aims when challenged.

For Year 8s, self-efficacy is presented as an overall score, with a maximum of 24 and a minimum of 6. A score of 16 or below indicates low self-efficacy and a score of 17 or above represents high self-efficacy.  

In 2016, Year 8s had a mean self-efficacy score of 17.2. Over a third (37%) of this year group exhibited a low self-efficacy.

For Years 9 to 12, self-efficacy is presented as an overall score, with a maximum 25 and minimum 5. A score of 17 or below indicates low self-efficacy and a score of 18 or above represents high self-efficacy.

Young people in Years 9 to 12 had a mean self-efficacy score of 17.3 in 2016. Forty four per cent of this age group exhibited a low self-efficacy.

For Year 9 to 12s, there were a number of significant differences found when comparing mean self-efficacy scores and the proportion with low self-efficacy across differing characteristics. This was most prominent in relation to gender, deprivation, Free School Meal (FSM) receipt and health.

Locus of control

Locus of control explains the degree to which a person feels they have control over their life. Those with internal locus of control believe in their own influence over life events and are confident that their actions can have direct effect on their life outcomes. Those with external locus of control believe the converse and appoint personal outcomes as the result of fate and factors outside of their control.

For Year 8s, locus of control is presented as an overall score, with a maximum of 20 and a minimum of 10. A lower score indicates a more external locus of control and a higher score indicates a more internal locus of control.

In 2016, Year 8s had a mean locus of control score of 16.9. Within this age group, those who attended a Grammar school and those who did not receive FSMs exhibited a significantly higher (more internal) locus of control than those who attended a Secondary school and those who received FSMs respectively.

For Years 9 to 12, locus of control is presented as an overall score, with a maximum of 25 and a minimum of 5. Again, a lower score indicates a more external locus of control and a higher score indicates a more internal locus of control.

Young people in this age group had a mean locus of control score of 16.2 in 2016. There were a number of significant differences found when comparing mean locus of control scores for Years 9 to 12 across differing characteristics. This was most prominent in relation to school type, gender, urban/rural geographies and health.

Life satisfaction

Life satisfaction relates to an individual’s satisfaction with their life overall.

For Year 8s, life satisfaction is presented as a score, with a minimum of 1 (‘not happy at all’) and a maximum of 7 (‘completely happy’). Young people in this age group had a mean life satisfaction score of 5.8 in 2016.

For Year 9 to 12s, life satisfaction is also presented as a score, with a minimum of 0 (‘not at all satisfied’) and a maximum of 10 (‘completely satisfied’). Young people in this age group exhibited a mean life satisfaction score of 7.6 in 2016.

There were a number of significant differences found when comparing mean life satisfaction scores for Years 9 to 12 across differing characteristics. This was most prominent in relation to gender, religion, health and long standing illness.

The report and associated data tables are available on the Statistics and Research section of the Executive Office’s website.

Notes to editors: 

1. Media enquiries to The Executive Office Press Office on 028 9037 8201. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number on 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.
2. Further information relating to the collection and production of the statistics can be obtained by contacting:

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