Do students who take the StrengthsQuest assessment connect their strengths to statements indicating self-efficacy?

Abstract

Some students, in spite of the challenges they face, do succeed in college. This may be due to many factors, including a high level of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is important because it has been related to persistence and achievement in education (Chemers, 2001). One way we might increase a student's self-efficacy is to provide a language that describes their strengths. This master's research project sought to examine the relationship between a student's strengths and statements indicating self-efficacy. My sample population was underrepresented first-year and sophomore TRIO students in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Through semi-structured interviews, students shared experiences in their personal, academic and career spheres as seem through the lens of their top 5 Strengths. Evidence of self-efficacy was found in the students' responses.