Attitudinal, Behavioral, and Environmental Correlates of Child and Parent Self-Efficacy in Walking to School

• Main Authors: Young-Jae Kim, Chanam Lee, Wenhua Lu, Jason A. Mendoza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: walking to school; child and parent self-efficacy; attitude; behavior; environment
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/14/12/1588

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.