Peer Influence and Negative Parental Attitude as Determinants of Academic Underachievement among Secondary School Adolescents in Polygamous Families in Lagos State
- October 13, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue IX, September 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Afusat Olanike Busari PhD.1, Oluyede Afolabi Hope2
1,2Department of Guidance & Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract :- This study investigated peer influence and negative parental attitude as determinants of academic underachievement among secondary school adolescents in polygamous families in Lagos State. The study adopted ex-post facto design, while multi- stage sampling techniques was used to select three hundred and sixty (360) students. To measure academic underachievement, the average score of respondents in 2018/2019 first and second term examinations in English and Mathematics was used. Other instruments used include Peer Influence (r=0.71) and Parental Attitude Scales (r=0.76). Three research questions were formulated and tested to guide the study. The data collected was analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and Multiple Regression Analysis. The study revealed that peer influence (r= .981**) and negative parental attitude (r= .975**) had significant relationship with academic underachievement. The result also showed that peer influence (β = 0.395, t = 11.29, P < 0.01) was the most potent contributor to the prediction of academic underachievement. Recommendations were made on how to ameliorate academic underachievement among secondary school adolescents.
Key words: Academic underachievement, peer influence, negative parental attitude, polygamy
I. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Success is often a pleasurable event and this makes it a desire and goal of every human aspiration. For every endeavour, there are goals and objectives, viz-a-viz the yardstick with which the achievement of such targets are ascertained. For this purpose, examinations are conducted in academic institution, secondary school inclusive, in order to ensure whether the students have been able to achieve the expected objectives and are able to perform to the set standard expected of the grade or level. Besides, a progressive or upward movement of a student is premised on the ability to show that he or she had achieved the target academic objectives. Many adolescent students are not able to meet up with the set academic standard; and such situation is regarded as academic underachievement.
