School Belonging,Educational Aspirations,and Academic Self-Efficacy among African American Male High School Students: Implications for School Counselors
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online June, 2008
School Belonging,Educational Aspirations,and Academic Self-Efficacy among African American Male High School Students: Implications for School Counselors
While academic self-efficacy is widely considered an individual cognitive variable, it may be influenced by a sense of belonging and connection to others in the school community. Using a correlation and multiple regression design, the study in this article examined the relationship between perceptions of school belonging, educational aspirations, and academic self-efficacy among 40 African American male high school students. Results indicated that feeling encouraged to participate and educational aspirations were significant, positive predictors of academic self-efficacy. Other components of perceptions of school belonging were not significant in predicting academic self-efficacy. Recommendations for future research and practical suggestions for school counselors are discussed.
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