The Executive Office (TEO) today published figures for Northern Ireland for 2019/20 for three metrics:

- Self-efficacy is defined as a person’s belief about their capabilities to exercise influence over events that affect their lives. It is presented as an overall score, with a minimum of 5 and maximum of 25. A score from 5-17 indicates low self-efficacy and a score from 18-25 represents high self-efficacy
- Locus of control explains the degree to which a person feels they have control over their life. It is presented as an overall score, with minimum of 5 and maximum of 25. A lower score indicates a more external locus of control, i.e. a belief that outside factors shape one’s life, and a higher score indicates a more internal locus of control, i.e. a belief that the individual has control over their own life.
- 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).
Key Findings
Self-efficacy
- At 19.3, the 2019/20 estimate for average (mean) score is not significantly different to the average in 2018/19.
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 2019/20, 19.4% 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 2019/20, 20.8% of individuals aged 60 and over in Northern Ireland had low self-efficacy. This represents a significant decrease from the 2014/15 baseline year (27.4%).
Locus of control
- At 17.1, the 2019/20 estimate for average (mean) score is not significantly different to the average in 2018/19.
Life satisfaction
- At 7.8, the 2019/20 estimate for average (mean) score is not significantly different to the average in 2018/19.
Different sections of society
- For all metrics, statistically significant differences were found when comparing groups from each of the following seven breakdowns: Age, Deprivation, Employment status, Health, Disability, Marital status and Local Government District.
- Notably, the largest proportions of people with low self-efficacy (both among the population aged 16+ and among those aged 60 and over) were found among those reporting bad / very bad health and this group also had the lowest mean scores for self-efficacy, locus of control and life satisfaction.
Publication
The report is available on the Executive Office’s website via the Statistics and Research section.
Notes to editors:
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Further information relating to the collection and production of the statistics can be obtained by contacting:
PfG Analytics
The Executive Office
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT4 3SR
E-mail: pfganalytics@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk
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