Youth self-efficacy domains as predictors of change in routine community mental health services

AbstractObjective: This study examined how youth self-efficacy in four domains—Social, Academic Diligence, Academic Proficiency, and Behavioral Regulation—was associated with youth symptoms and psychotherapy outcomes. Method: Participants were 104 youth (aged 12–17, mean age 14.6) and their parents/guardians. Youth completed a measure of perceived self-efficacy and the Youth Outcome Questionnaire–Self-Report (YOQ-SR) regularly over the course of treatment; parents/guardians also completed the Youth Outcome Questionnaire. Results: Although none of the self-efficacy domains significantly predicted changes in parent reports of symptoms, individual growth curve models indicated that increases in three of the four self-efficacy domains (Social, Academic Diligence, and Behavioral Regulation) over the course of treatment were associated with concurrent improvements in youth-reported symptoms. Conclusions: Results suggest that youth self-efficacy warrants further study in relation to change processes in youth men...