Investigation of relation between the perceived family relationships and self-efficacy of 4th and 5th grade students

The aim of this study was to investigate family functions and self-efficacy levels of 4th and 5th grade students according to some demographic variables. This research is based on descriptive method. Sample consisted of 105 girls and 112 boys, totally 217 students selected by random sampling method from the schools in Milas, Muğla, in the academic year 2012-2013. Data were collected by the Family Relationship Scale for Children, Self-Efficacy Scale for children and a questionnaire prepared by the researcher. By Statistical package SPSS 20.0 software; since the data were non-parametric, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskall- Wallis H test ve Spearman Brown Correlation were used to analyze the data. Results showed that there is a negative statistically significant correlation between discouraging family relationships and self-efficacy levels except from self-control subscale levels of children. Besides, it is determined that there are statistically significant positive correlation between supportive family relationships and the self-efficacy subscales levels of children. According to results, it is understood that self-efficacy levels of children are interrelated with family functions. Results showed that age and gender are not effective factors on family functions. Age is effective on the self-efficacy levels of the children. Gender is effective on leisure time skills self-efficacy levels in favor of girls. Results showed that children who have no siblings perceive lower discouraging family relationships and higher supportive family relationships rather than the children who have siblings. By the way, it was found that when the sibling number increases discouraging family relationships increases and supportive family relationships decreases. Results showed that as the mothers? education level increases, discouraging family relations decreases and supportive family relationships increases. It was found that fathers? education level is effective on supportive family relationships of children. Children who perceive their socio-economic level as high, who perceive their school successs as high, perceive less discouraging family relationships. Results showed that childrens? perception about school success is effective on their self-efficacy levels. As a consequence, there is a relation between the family relations and self-efficacy levels of childrens. Age, number of sibling, education level of parents, perceived socio-economic level, school success are found to be effective on family relations and self-efficacy levels of children. Key Words: self-efficacy, family relations, school aged children