Resilience and self-efficacy among orphan and non-orphan children: a comparative study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the difference between orphan and non-orphan children in their resilience and self-efficacy status. The study was carried out in two public elementary schools found in Debre Markos town. A total of 310 children whose mean age was 12.5 years were selected using proportional stratified random sampling method. The questionnaires adopted from Connor Davidson’s Resilience Scale and the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) were used to assess resilience and self-efficacy respectively. MANOVA and Pearson’s correlation were conducted using SPSS version 20 at 5% level of significance. Participants were composed of 205 (66%) non-orphaned, 65 (21%) single orphaned, and 40 (13%) double orphaned children. A statistically significant mean differences were observed among the three groups of children in their self-efficacy and resilience status. Double orphan children had significantly higher resilience and self-efficacy status than both single orphan and non-orphan groups. Mean differences between single orphan and non-orphan children in terms of both resilience and self-efficacy were not statistically significant. It is possible to conclude from the findings that the more children face challenges as a result of having lost both parents, the more efficacious they become. The findings may have implication to parents and caregivers to give opportunities for their children to experience challenges to develop resilience and self- efficacy.