An abbreviated form of the multidimensional scales of perceived self-efficacy in an adolescent sample

Lindsey Keith-Vincent, Louisiana Tech University

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to construct an abbreviated form of the 57-item Multidimensional Scales of Perceived Self-Efficacy (MSPSE), a measure of self-efficacy that is derived from Bandura's Social Learning Theory. Although the MSPSE has been widely used to assess the self-efficacy of youth, there is a need for an abbreviated version. An abbreviated version of the MSPSE might address several issues with the 57-item version - including response fatigue, time constraints, and content repetition - that can result in invalid responses.

By abbreviating the scale, students are less likely to become fatigued, unengaged, and carelessly respond to the items. This dissertation explored the statistical importance of each of the 57 items of the original scale and used the findings of the analysis to abbreviate the original MSPSE while maintaining satisfactory reliability and validity. This study used two subsamples from an archival data base of middle- and junior high school students that was originally provided by the Board of Regents of the State of Louisiana and previously used by Hill (2014).

The hypotheses addressed are as follows: 5. It is hypothesized that the abbreviated MSPSE will demonstrate comparable reliability to the original scale. 6. It is hypothesized that the abbreviated MSPSE will demonstrate comparable criterion validity in relation to three criteria as the original scale. The three criteria are: (a) grade point average, (b) number of disciplinary referrals, and (c) Teacher Aspiration Scale (TAS) ratings.

The data base included MSPSE scores, grade point average, number of disciplinary suspensions, and Teacher's Aspiration Scale scores. In Part I of this study, two separate exploratory factor analyses of MSPSE scores were conducted on two separate samples from this data base (n1 = 341 n2= 424) to identify a smaller subset of MSPSE items. Based on a comparison of two sets of factor analytic findings, four factors, each defined by three items were selected in order to construct a 12-item abbreviated MSPSE. The four factors were labeled: Peer Pressure Resistance, Mobilizing Family Support, Organizing School Work, and Educational-Cultural Engagement.

In Part II of this study preliminary results were obtained that supported the reliability and validity of the abbreviated 12-item MSPSE. Hypothesis 1 was supported by demonstrating that the 12-item MSPSE showed satisfactory reliability. Hypothesis 2 was supported by demonstrating that the 12-item MSPSE showed significant expected relationships with three criterion variables: (1) grade point average, (2) number of disciplinary suspensions/ referrals, and (3) Teacher's Aspiration Scale ratings. The implications and application of the abbreviated 12-item MSPSE as a measure of perceived self-efficacy are discussed.