Citation

Kim YJ, Lee C, Lu W, Mendoza JA. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017; 14(12): e14121588.

Affiliation

Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. jason.mendoza@seattlechildrens.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph14121588

PMID

29258210

Abstract

As a critical social cognitive construct, self-efficacy plays a determinant role in children's walking to school (WTS). However, little is known about factors that are underlying children's and parents' self-efficacy in WTS. The purpose of this study is to examine behavioral, attitudinal, and environmental correlates of child self-efficacy and parent self-efficacy in WTS, and to assess differences in the correlates of child versus parent self-efficacy. Data were collected from students (N = 1224) and parents (N = 1205) from 81 elementary schools across Texas in 2009-2012. Binary logistic regressions were conducted to identify significant factors that are associated with children's self-efficacy and parents' self-efficacy.

RESULTS from this study showed that the parent self-efficacy was more likely to be related to their own behaviors or attitudes, rather than the environmental factors or their child's input. The child self-efficacy, however, was influenced not only by their own and parental behaviors or attitudes, but also by environmental factors. This study suggests that both parental and child self-efficacy are important factors to be considered when making decisions about school transportation.

Keywords: SR2S

Language: en

Keywords

attitude; behavior; child and parent self-efficacy; environment; walking to school