General & Domain-Specific Self-Efficacy Following 10-Day Developmental Sailing Voyages, & the Contribution of Social Support

Abstract

Two studies were conducted. Study 1 sought to quantify increases in, and maintenance of, general and domain-specific self-efficacy of youths who complete Spirit of New Zealand 10-day developmental sailing voyages. The sailing voyages utilize team-building, leadership and mastery activities to foster achievement. Participants were aged 16.33 on average and volunteered or applied for participation. Self-efficacy was measured at T1; three to four weeks prior to voyage commencement, T2; first day of the voyage, T3; last day of the voyage, and T4; five months post voyage completion. It was hypothesized that i) participants will experience increases in general and domain-specific self-efficacy over the voyage, and ii) that these increases will be maintained at a five month follow-up. Results showed partial support for hypotheses; trainees experienced significant increases in GSE, NASRE, RSRE and SSE over the voyage (T2-T3), but no significant increase in SAE. Increased GSE, RSRE and SSE were maintained at a five-month follow-up, while NASRE significantly decreased. It was concluded that the majority of general and domain-specific self-efficacy were (i) significantly increased over the voyage and (ii) maintained at five months post-voyage. The potential decline of self-efficacy over 12 months post-voyage and contribution of social support to increased self-efficacy was investigated in Study 2. Participants were aged 16.25 years on average and recruited as in study 1. Self-efficacy was measured as in Study 1 with the exception of T4; 12 months post voyage completion. Study 1 hypotheses were repeated with the exception of (ii) maintained self-efficacy at 12 months, and added (iii) that perceived social support will consistently predict higher levels of general and domain-specific self-efficacy at voyage completion and 12 months following. Support was found for hypotheses (i) and (ii); participants reported a significant increase in GSE, NASRE, RSRE, SSE and SAE over the voyage (T2-T3), and increases in GSE, NASRE and SSE over the voyage were maintained at 12-months post voyage (T3-T4). However, RSRE and SAE significantly declined over this period (T3-T4). Hypothesis (iii) was not supported as perceived social support inconsistently predicted general and domain-specific self-efficacy at the end of the voyage and at a 12-month post-voyage follow-up. Implications for youth and future research are discussed.