Effect of Self-efficacy Training for Mothers on Their Daughters’ Critical Thinking

Abstract

Background: Ability to analyze information and make effective decisions in life develops through learning. Considering the role of mothers in teaching learning principles to their children, the present study was conducted to determine the impact of self-efficacy training for mothers on their daughters’ critical thinking. Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 mothers (40 in each group) of first-grade high school girls in Esfarayen, Iran, in 2023. The sampling method was multi-stage randomization. The data collection tools included the Ricketts’ critical thinking questionnaire and Morris’ self-efficacy questionnaire. Educational sessions consisted of five 50-minute sessions held at school through group discussions, brainstorming, and Q &A sessions for the intervention group (mothers). Then, the questionnaires were completed by their daughters before educating mothers, immediately after educating them, and three months later. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 26 using the Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman test, and chi-square test. The level of significance in all tests was set at P<0.05. Results: The mean age of mothers in the intervention group was 36.5±6.3 years, while in the control group, it was 34.7±6.2 years. The mean age of students in the intervention group was 14.5±5.37 years, while in the control group, it was 14.37±5.57 years. The critical thinking score and the total score of self-efficacy immediately and three months after the intervention had a significant increase in both groups compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). The intervention and control groups had statistically significant differences in terms of the mean scores of critical thinking and self-efficacy over time (P<0.05). Conclusion: Teaching mothers based on the self-efficacy theory successfully improved the critical thinking skills of their daughters. Therefore, it is recommended that education policymakers use this theory to implement comprehensive educational programs for parents to improve life skills, including critical thinking skills of their children.

Keywords

• critical thinking
• mothers
• self-efficacy
• students