Self-efficacy and health among adolescents: A co-relational study

Pages: 1105-1107
Bindia Gautam and Shalini Singh (Department of Psychology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana)

Adolescence is the most rapid phase in human growth. It is also known as young people and a vital part of any society in the world. This period is often between the ages of 10-19 or between 10-24 years old (WHO, 2002). Most of adolescents are healthy, but there is still health related problems among adolescents. During this stage both the changes individual as well as the environment influence occur. Due to these changes adolescents have health related effect in their life not only in this particular age but it also effect over the life time. This time adolescents may be mainly susceptible due to their capacities are still rising and they are start to move outer from their family. Self efficacy relates to an individual’s confidence in achieving and maintaining behavioral change. Self efficacy is defined as an individual’s thought that he or she has the strength and ability to control tasks or events in the immediate environment (Bandura, 2001). This study explores the relationship between self-efficacy and health. For this purpose, the study group consisted of 200 adolescents from different schools of Haryana. Generalized Self Efficacy Scale by Jerusalem and Schwarzer (1992) and General Health Questionnaire-28 (Goldberg, 1978) scale were used as measuring instruments. Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the data collected. Findings suggest that there is negative correlation between self- efficacy and health.