Self-efficacy, Locus of Control and Life Satisfaction among Young People, 2019

The Executive Office (TEO) today published 2019 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.

The report compares the estimates to previous data (2016). Breakdowns by Gender, Religion, Deprivation, Free School Meals, Urban/Rural, Disability, Health, Ethnicity and School Type are also considered.

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 2019, Year 8s had an average (mean) self-efficacy score of 17.3 and 38.3% of this year group exhibited a low self-efficacy, not significantly different to the 2016 figures (17.2 and 37.6%, respectively).

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 an average (mean) self-efficacy score of 17.1 in 2019, significantly lower than the 2016 figure (17.4). 49.8% of this age group exhibited a low self-efficacy which is significantly larger than the 2016 figure (42.9%).

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 2019, Year 8s had an average (mean) locus of control score of 16.7, significantly lower than the 2016 figure (17.0).

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 an average (mean) locus of control score of 16.6 in 2019 which is significantly higher (more internal) than the 2016 figure (16.2)

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 an average (mean) life satisfaction score of 5.6 in 2019, significantly lower than the 2016 figure (5.8).

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 an average (mean) life satisfaction score of 7.1 in 2019, significantly lower than the 2016 figure (7.6).

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 via email: press.office@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

3. Further information relating to the collection and production of the statistics can be obtained by contacting:

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