The purpose of this study was to analyze relationships between perceived social
support and academic self-efficacy among male and female students in the upper
grades in elementary school. The subjects in this study were 552 students in
their sixth grade in 4 elementary schools in In-Cheon. Perceived social support
scale and academic self-efficacy scale were administered.
The results of the study were as follows. Firstly, perceived social support was
significant difference according to their gender. However, academic self-efficacy
wasn't significant difference according to their gender. Secondly, there were
significant positive correlations between perceived social support and academic
self-efficacy, which indicates that the higher the level of their perceived social
support was, the more academic self-efficacy they had. Thirdly, while correlations
were the highest between support from friends and academic self-efficacy among
male students, those were the highest between support from parents and academic
self-efficacy among female students. Finally, while correlations were the highest
between appraisal support and academic self-efficacy among male students, those
were the highest between emotional support and academic self-efficacy among
female students.
The study claims its significance in that it analyzed relationships between
perceived social support and academic self-efficacy and confirmed gender
differences in the relationships. It could be helpful to improve the level of
academic self-efficacy to more social support from their parents, teachers, friends
and further effective social support according to gender. Also the results indicate
that it is important to help students perceive social support in their surroundings.