ERIC Number: EJ1019788
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Aug
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-0343
EISSN: N/A
Self-Concepts and Educational Outcomes of Indigenous Australian Students in Urban and Rural School Settings
Yeung, Alexander Seeshing; Craven, Rhonda G.; Ali, Jinnat
School Psychology International, v34 n4 p405-427 Aug 2013
Indigenous Australians have been known to be disadvantaged in many ways although higher art and physical self-concepts have been reported with Indigenous samples. Given recent research demonstrating the reciprocal effects of achievement and self-concept in academic domains, Indigenous students may experience further disadvantages in both academic performance and self-concept. A sample of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students ("N"?=?1,342) from schools in New South Wales (NSW), Australia were asked to respond to a survey measuring: five domains of self-concept (i.e., school, reading, mathematics, art, and physical abilities), two learning-related factors (enjoyment and participation), and a self-assessment of their school work. Their scores in a NSW state-wide assessment of students' literacy and numeracy were also obtained. Confirmatory factor analysis established the self-concept and learning-related factors. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using a 2 (identity: Indigenous vs. Non-Indigenous)?×?2 (region: urban vs. rural) design found significant effects of identity for all variables except for art self-concept. That is, non-Indigenous students scored higher than Indigenous students in literacy and numeracy tests, self-concepts, learning-related factors, and self-ratings of school work, irrespective of region. The results did not support previous research demonstrating a relatively higher art self-concept for Indigenous children based on stereotypical perspectives. These results imply that school personnel would be well advised to not assume stereotypic differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian students or assume a great difference between Indigenous students from urban and rural school settings. However, there seems to be a need for improving the school environment so as to promote Indigenous students' performance and enjoyment of school life.
Descriptors: Self Concept, Indigenous Populations, Outcomes of Education, Foreign Countries, Academic Achievement, Educationally Disadvantaged, Factor Analysis, Surveys, Student Attitudes, Scores, Self Evaluation (Individuals), Achievement Tests, Multivariate Analysis, Literacy, Numeracy, Educational Improvement, Stereotypes, Rural Education, Secondary School Students, Correlation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Self Description Questionnaire
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A