Self-efficacy, motivation and behavior control among adolescents in Kampala

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between self-efficacy, motivation and behavior control as well as the moderating effect of motivation on self-efficacy and behavior control among adolescents in Kampala. The study was carried out in selected schools of Kampala. It was quantitative research and cross-sectional in nature. Multi-stage sampling was used. Three out of five divisions were selected randomly, then 4 schools were selected using convenient sampling and simple random methods were used to select the 400 participants from classes (TSU). Data was collected using standardized self-administered questionnaires and IBMSPSS version 23 was used to analyze both descriptive and inferential statistics. Hayes‘ PROCESS macro software 3.4v was used in testing the ―interaction effect. There were 50.5% male and 49.5% female participants. The participants were 43.6 % (N=174/400) for age group (16- 17) years, then (14-15) years with 40.8% (N=163/400) and (12-13) years with 15.8% (N=63/400). Forty-six points five percent of respondents lived with both parents and most of them were from S.3 followed and S.5 had the least number of participants. There were significant associations between self-efficacy and behaviour control; self-efficacy and motivation and no significant association between motivation and behaviour control among adolescents in Kampala. Moderation effect was observed from the subscales of motivation on self-efficacy and behavior control though there was no statistically significant interaction effect. Recommendation: All programmes training behaviour control among adolescents should focus at improving the adolescents‘ self-efficacy because it significantly influences the outcome. The stakeholders in behaviour control programmes should also focus on the use of motivation appropriately since it is needed equally to shape and modify any behaviour during the course of development.