A1 Journal article (refereed)
Benefits of Integrating an Explicit Self-Efficacy Intervention With Calculation Strategy Training for Low-Performing Elementary Students (2021)

Koponen, T., Aro, T., Peura, P., Leskinen, M., Viholainen, H., & Aro, M. (2021). Benefits of Integrating an Explicit Self-Efficacy Intervention With Calculation Strategy Training for Low-Performing Elementary Students. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 714379. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.714379

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Koponen, Tuire; Aro, Tuija; Peura, Pilvi; Leskinen, Markku; Viholainen, Helena; Aro, Mikko

Journal or series: Frontiers in Psychology

eISSN: 1664-1078

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 06/08/2021

Volume: 12

Article number: 714379

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.714379

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77423

Abstract

This study examined the malleability of math self-efficacy (SE) among children with poor calculation fluency via an intervention that targeted four sources of SE (mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasions, and emotional and physiological states). The effect of pure strategy training was contrasted with an intervention that integrated strategy training and explicit SE support. Moreover, the changes in SE source experiences and their relation with math SE, as well as the relation between math-SE profiles and calculation fluency development, were examined. In a quasi-experimental design, 60 Finnish children with calculation fluency problems in Grades 2 to 4 participated in strategy training (N = 38) or in an intervention that integrated SE support with strategy training (N = 32) for 12 weeks. The results showed that the explicit SE intervention integrated with strategy training enhanced math SE among children with poor calculation fluency and low SE (effect size, r = 0.61). Changes in mastery experiences and social persuasions were positively associated with changes in math SE among children who received the explicit SE intervention. An initially high math-SE profile and a profile indicating an increase from low to high math SE were related to growth in calculation fluency that approached the children's average age level during the interventions. In conclusion, an integrated approach that combined skill training and SE intervention was especially beneficial for children with poor calculation fluency and low math SE.

Keywords: mathematical skills; self-efficacy; lower comprehensive school pupils; intervention study

Free keywords: self-efficacy; sources of self-efficacy; math; calculation fluency; low performance; intervention

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

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