Self-efficacy profile in daily activities: Children at risk and with developmental coordination disorder

Aim: The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the perceptions of self-efficacy in the daily activities (self-care, schoolwork, and leisure) of boys and girls with DCD, or in children at risk for DCD (r-DCD) and in typical children (TD); 2) to investigate if a self-efficacy assessment could be a support tool in the establishment of children with the DCD profile. Methods: Children between 6 to 8 years old (N=115: 35 with DCD, 40 with r-DCD, 40 with TD) were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) and the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System (PEGS). A two-way MANOVA showed significant effect for the perceived self-efficacy group. Results: The Bonferroni post hoc test indicated that in the self-care, schoolwork, leisure, and general self-efficacy dimensions the children with DCD presented significantly lower scores compared to children with r-DCD and TD (p < 0.001). A similar result was observed for rDCD children in comparison with TD (p < 0.001). The discriminate analysis showed that perceived self-efficacy in leisure activities was the variable that most contributed to the discrimination of the groups. Conclusion: The judgment of children with DCD and r-DCD on the effectiveness of the execution of schoolwork and leisure activities may have been influenced by the motor skill difficulties showed by the children. Copyright (C) 2019, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.