A Comparison of Students' Self-Efficacy according to Family Communication Patterns

A. Ahmadi Ghouzloujeh

F. Baezzat, Ph D
S. Kiani, M. A.

This study was carried out to compare students’ self-efficacy according to family communication patterns in Pars Abad (Ardebil province). In this causal-comparative and ex-post facto research, 160 high school boys were selected through random cluster sampling method. The instrumentation comprised Revised Family Communication Scale and Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale. The collected data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), scheffe test and eta coefficient. The obtained results indicated that students’ self-efficacy varied based on various family communication patterns. More specifically, children of consensual and pluralistic families enjoyed high self-efficacy and the children of protective and laissez-faire families had low self-efficacy. Based on the findings of the study and for the purpose of enhancing children’s self-efficacy, it is recommended that parents pave the way for open interactions among family members and encourage their children to express their opinions. As a result, children will find out that their points of view are worthwhile and are used for decision-making in the family.

Key words: family communication pattern, pluralistic family, consensual family, protective family, laissez-faire family, self-efficacy