Self-efficacy profile in daily activities: Children at risk and with developmental coordination disorder

• Published in: Pediatrics and neonatology 2019-12, Vol.60 (6), p.662-668
• Main Authors: Nobre, G.C., Valentini, N.C., Ramalho, M.H.S., Sartori, R.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: children; daily activities; developmental disorder; perceived self-efficacy
• ISSN: 1875-9572
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2019.03.012

The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the perceptions of self-efficacy in the daily activities (self-care, schoolwork, and leisure) of boys and girls with DCD, or in children at risk for DCD (r-DCD) and in typical children (TD); 2) to investigate if a self-efficacy assessment could be a support tool in the establishment of children with the DCD profile. Children between 6 to 8 years old (N=115: 35 with DCD, 40 with r-DCD, 40 with TD) were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) and the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System (PEGS). A two-way MANOVA showed significant effect for the perceived self-efficacy group. The Bonferroni post hoc test indicated that in the self-care, schoolwork, leisure, and general self-efficacy dimensions the children with DCD presented significantly lower scores compared to children with r-DCD and TD (p < 0.001). A similar result was observed for r-DCD children in comparison with TD (p < 0.001). The discriminate analysis showed that perceived self-efficacy in leisure activities was the variable that most contributed to the discrimination of the groups. The judgment of children with DCD and r-DCD on the effectiveness of the execution of schoolwork and leisure activities may have been influenced by the motor skill difficulties showed by the children.