Changes in family socio-economic status as predictors of self-efficacy in 13-year-old Polish adolescents

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to determine the impact that raised mother’s education and a relative change in family affluence might have on adolescent general self-efficacy (GSE).MethodsData on 600 children born in Poland in January 1995 and their families were used. Data from early childhood and adolescence (2008) were considered and the change between these two periods was determined.ResultsFamily affluence increased in 37.3 % of families with mothers, who had raised their education level (12.6 % of the sample), in comparison to 26.8 % in the group with no change, p < 0.001. The average GSE scores in those groups were 73.4 and 68.1, respectively, p < 0.001. In the best linear regression model adjusted for gender, the independent predictors of GSE turned out to be mother’s education change and the family’s current affluence.ConclusionsRaised mother’s education level may encourage building up developmental assets in older children. Based on the structural model, where self-efficacy is the mediator of the relationship between socio-economic status change and the quality of life (KIDSCREEN-10) these results may be of importance in further research.

Health inequalities among students of lower secondary schools in Bytom, Poland

“…Children living in neighbourhood with a high intensity of problems are more exposed to other risks, including injuries, accidents or environmental pollution; they have reduced access to sports and cultural infrastructure, and they also tend to adopt unhealthy behaviour patterns [17]. In the current study, the predominance of students declaring a high intensity of problems in their place of residence can be observed, especially in comparison with the cross-national HBSC study from 2010 [9]. In another cross-national study, the percentage of teenagers living in a places with a high intensity of problems ranged from 31.2% -36.6%, while in the presented study it was 51%.…”

“…This fact can be explained and understood in a broader context when taking into consideration the above-mentioned fast growth of industrialised cities. It is worth mentioning that national studies indicate that the scale which was implemented in this study has a great level of suitability [9,18].…”

“…The lack of own room, a small number of computer in the home, lack of a car, and scarcity of trips outside the place of residence do not always characterize familie with a low financial status. Numerous studies have proved that the FAS scale, in fact, could be very useful, especially in terms of analysing health inequalities [9,18]. Even with all its imperfections, the scale is still described as the most objective SES marker in studying teenagers [9,18].…”

“…Numerous studies have proved that the FAS scale, in fact, could be very useful, especially in terms of analysing health inequalities [9,18]. Even with all its imperfections, the scale is still described as the most objective SES marker in studying teenagers [9,18]. Students aged 13-16 are often unable to determine the level of economic status of their families [19].…”

“…The survey was based on several questions originating from an earlier study, the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) [9]. The questionnaire issued included 64 questions concerning the social and economic status of each family, health condition, free time activities and taking stimulants.…”