Self-efficacy, Locus of Control & Life Satisfaction in Northern Ireland 2017/18

The Executive Office (TEO) today published figures for Northern Ireland for 2017/18 for three metrics:

• Self-efficacy
• Locus of Control
• Life Satisfaction

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.

Self-efficacy is presented as an overall score, with a minimum 5 and maximum 25. A score from 5-17 represents low self-efficacy and a score from 18-25 represents high self-efficacy.

The estimated mean self-efficacy score for individuals aged 16 and over in Northern Ireland was relatively high in 2017/18; 19.3 out of a possible 25. This represents a statistically significant increase from each previous year where these data were collected; 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 (all 19.2).

Draft Programme for Government and Northern Ireland Civil Service Outcomes Delivery Plan

The report provides data for two population indicators included in the outcomes framework underpinning the draft Programme for Government and the Northern Ireland Civil Service Outcomes Delivery Plan:

• Confidence (as measured by self-efficacy) – This indicator is measured by the proportion of individuals in Northern Ireland aged 16 and over with low self-efficacy.
  • Latest position: In 2017/18, approximately one-fifth (19.9%) of individuals aged 16 and over in Northern Ireland had low self-efficacy. This represents a significant decrease from the 2014/15 baseline year (24.3%).
• Confidence of the population aged 60 years or older (as measured by self-efficacy) – This indicator is measured by the proportion of individuals in Northern Ireland aged 60 and over with low self-efficacy.
  • Latest position: In 2017/18, 21.6% of individuals aged 60 and over in Northern Ireland had low self-efficacy. This represents a significant decrease from the 2014/15 baseline year (26.9%).

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.

Locus of control is presented as an overall score, with a minimum 5 and maximum 25. A lower score indicates a more external locus of control and a higher score indicates a more internal locus of control.

The estimated mean locus of control score for those aged 16 and over in Northern Ireland was 16.9 out of a possible 25 in 2017/18. This represents no change from 2015/16 and 2016/17 (both 16.9), and a statistically significant decrease from 2014/15 (17.1), providing some evidence of a shift in our population to a more external locus of control since these data were first collected.

Life satisfaction

Life satisfaction relates to an individual’s satisfaction with their life overall. It is presented as a score, with a minimum of 0 (not at all satisfied) and a maximum of 10 (completely satisfied).

The estimated mean life satisfaction score for those aged 16 and over in Northern Ireland was 7.9 out of a possible 10 in 2017/18. This represents a statistically significant increase from each previous year where these data were collected; 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 (all 7.8).

For each metric, the report also examines whether statistically significant differences existed across different sections of society in Northern Ireland in 2017/18.

Publication

The report is available on 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 please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.
2. Further information relating to the collection and production of the statistics can be obtained by contacting:

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