Self-efficacy and behavioral aspects of children with learning difficulties

O objetivo da pesquisa é avaliar as relações entre o desempenho acadêmico, o senso de auto-eficácia e os aspectos comportamentais, em 52 criançasde ambos os sexos, na faixa etária de oito anos a onze anos e onze meses, alunos de primeira a quarta série, com nível intelectual pelo menos médio inferior, divididas em: G1-26 crianças com queixa de dificuldade de aprendizagem, encaminhadas a um Ambulatório de Psicologia vinculado a um Hospital Escola; e G2-26 crianças com bom desempenho acadêmico avaliado por teste de Desempenho Escolar. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Roteiro de Avaliação de Auto-eficácia e Escala Comportamental Infantil A2 de Rutter, além do teste de desempenho escolar. Observou-se que as crianças do G1 apresentaram uma avaliação significativamente mais baixa quanto ao senso de auto-eficácia e seus pais caracterizaram-nas com mais dificuldades comportamentais, comparativamente ao G2. O desempenho acadêmico mostrou-se relacionado ao senso de auto-eficácia e a indicadores de dificuldade comportamentais.The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship among school performance, sense of self-efficacy, and behavioral aspects in 52 children of both sexes, aged from eight to 11 years and 11 months. The children were enrolled in the first to fourth grade and their intelligence level was assessed as of lower medium level at least. Subjects were divided in two groups: G1-26 children with learning difficulties referred to a Psychology Ambulatory of a School Hospital, and G2-26 children with good achievement, assessed by an academic performance test. The instruments used were: Self-Efficacy Assessment Form and Rutter Child Behavior Scale, as well as a school achievement test. G1 showed a significantly lower score for self-efficacy sense, compared to G2. A significant difference was also observed in the assessment made by parents, who characterized G1 children as having more behavioral difficulties. Academic performance was found to be related to self-efficacy sense and to indicators of behavioral problems