NCJ Number
228741
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: 2009 Pages: 23-38
Date Published
2009
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the psychometric properties of a child self efficacy scale used in an elementary-school drug prevention education program that addressed peer interactions and resisting pressure to use drugs.
Abstract
The study found that self efficacy was reliably measured among the 392 fourth and fifth graders who participated in the study. Thus, the 3-factor, 20-item scale developed is advised to have the potential for use in drug education programs in measuring self efficacy in children related to learning, peer relations, and resisting drug use. The instrument can also be used by practitioners to assist in identifying which students might need or are likely to benefit from activities that enhance self efficacy. For practitioners working in drug education programs based on social cognitive theory (SCT), the scale can be used to provide programmers with additional insight into how elementary-aged children perceive their ability to resist using tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. The instrument's development and validation is a step toward wider use of SCT in drug education programs for elementary-school students. The authors developed this scale as part of a program evaluation for an elementary school social skills and social support curriculum sponsored by a State department of education. Participants were 392 fourth and fifth graders from 4 elementary schools: 1 suburban, 1 urban, and 2 rural. Children were administered the evaluation measures in their classrooms by school staff as part of an educational curriculum evaluation. Evaluators were blinded to all unique student identifiers. Grade level, gender, and ethnicity were the only demographics provided for the purpose of the program evaluation. 5 tables and 48 references