ABSTRACT
This study attempted to identify some
socio psychological effects of conflict in the home on academic performances of
students in some selected secondary schools in Alimosho, Lagos State.
The research was based on random
sampling of selected students and a total of 100 students were sampled
comprising of 53 males and 47 females randomly selected from five secondary
schools.
The statistical analysis was carried
out using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient, questionnaires and
achievement test were drawn to cottate primary information.
Conclusion was made; it was observed
that the family setting in other words home has a strong influence on the
academics performances of the child which means that a child from a conflicting
home tends to be affected sociopsychologically in his academic achievement.
The performance of a student in his
academics is a very important issue that affects everybody in a nation.
Therefore, parents and students themselves should be motivated to perform
better in their duties and academics. The relationship between the members of
the family should be a positive one in order to allow students to perform well
in their academic pursuits.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract vi
Table of Content vii
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Statement
of the Problem 3
1.3 Purpose
of the Study 5
1.4 Significance
of the Study 5
1.5 Research
Questions 6
1.6 Research
Hypotheses 6
1.7 Scope
of the Study 7
1.8 Limitations
of the Study 7
1.9 Definition
of Terms 8
CHAPTER
TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
10
2.1 Concept
of the Family 10
2.2 Conflicts
as a Concept 11
2.3 Types
of Conflict 12
2.4 Causes
of Conflicts 17
2.5 The
Role 0f Parents in the Students Academic Performance 20
2.6 The
Ideal Family Life 22
2.7 Concept
of Academic Performance 25
2.8 The
Role of Parents in Students 25
2.9 The
Child and Home Influence 26
2.10 Socio-Psychological
Effects 0f Conflicts 28
CHAPTER
THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
33
3.1 Research
Design 33
3.2 Area
of Study 33
3.3 Population
of Study 34
3.4 Sample
and Sampling Technique 34
3.5 Research
Instrument 34
3.6 Validity
and Reliability 35
3.7 Method
of Data Collection 36
3.8 Method
0f Data Analysis 36
CHAPTER
FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction 37
4.1 Null
Hypotheses 37
4.2 Testing
of Hypotheses 38
4.3 Summary
of Hypotheses 46
CHAPTER
FIVE: DISCURSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Introduction 48
5.1 Discussion
of Findings 48
5.2 Summary
of Findings 50
5.3 Conclusion 50
5.4 Recommendations 51
References 53
Appendix 55
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
A number of factors determine how far a
child can go in life. In most cases his association with friends and family may
not necessarily be in the majority but may be needed factors of enhancing his
academic performance. This study is to find out the cause of conflicts in the
home and some basic socio-psychological effects of conflicts in the home on a
child's academic performance.
Conflict is a militating factor on a
child's academic performance. It affects the child both socially and
psychologically. It is a deterrent to the child in his social environment and
intellectual progress. According to Staple R. (1999), a disharmonious home
promotes aggressive, neurotic, jealous, delinquent unco-operative children,
while harmonious home promotes co-operative, good adjustments, superior
academic performance and independent children.
The home is an institution where people
needing care live in. It is a dwelling place of a family which originated from
marriage. Marriage is a union between a man and a woman such that the children
born are recognized as the offsprings of both parents. Demo D. H. (1998)
defines marriage as an established practice in all human societies in one form
or another, that is the reason why marriage is called an institution.
The home is a reflection of the society
and so, if the home is defective, the child being the product of the home will
be affected. Most of the social problems we encounter in Nigeria today, is traced or
connected with the social errors that evolved in the conflicts in the homes. It
is very important to note that the stages of marriage, if not well met, can
establish conflicts in the home. The conflicts in the home leads to development
of lack of conscience and excessive prohibition which produces unrealistic,
severe moral constraints and above all these lead to uncompromising social
behaviours that cause poor performance.
Factors that influence academic
performance of the child are numerous. They could be negative or positive
factors. For example, bad habits like sleeping always, laziness, non challant
attitude of the child towards his studies, can affect the child's academically.
It is the duty of the parents from the onset to help the child by teaching him
the right thing to do and encourage him through reinforcement. Arditte J. A.
(1999), stated that "The ideal family life when created will motivate the
child and help in his academic performance". The child needs care, socially, emotionally, physically,
mentally and psychologically. Couples often disagree when it comes to roles and responsibilities,
due to the fact that both parties
want to win the argument. Constant disagreement in the home leads to marital
conflict which affects the child's academic performance.
As opined by Olayinka (2005) "a
peaceful home tends to be a pleasant environment for raising healthy children
who will become good citizens in future". But a conflicting home is a
fertile ground for breeding delinquent children. The socio-psychological
effects of conflicts such as denial or indifference hostility fear and
confusion affects the child's academic performance.
Research reports suggest that a child
from conflict home experience more problems in adjustment than children who
grow up in intact families. Most of the research effort suggests that children
from conflict homes are more likely to have difficulties in school and to be
more aggressive, less pro-social, more depressed, and more likely to abuse
substances and participate in delinquent acts than their peers from intact
families.
1.2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Students do not perform alike; this can
be attributed to many factors. The major one is individual differences among
them. Many psychologists, educators and sociologist have been trying to unravel
the reason for these differences amongst students. Through researches and
studies, it was found out that factor such as family background with
characteristics like parental education, socio economic status, parental
attitude, family size etc. affect children negatively. Family tone, that is how
stable or unstable a family is (conflict, divorce, broken home, separation
etc), also contribute to individual differences. Other factors include peer
group influences, school related factors such as teacher-student relationship,
class-size, curriculum, teaching method, the students' personality etc.
But for the purpose of this research,
the study will focus on only one of the factors, that is, the conflict in the
home.
Studies have shown that when there is a
conflict in the home between parents, it has not only negative but powerful
effect on the children. Sometimes, this effect can be social, psychological,
emotional etc. This will in turn affect their personality development and
academic performance etc.
Market (1984) stated it is unfortunate
if a child comes from a disorganized home or full of conflicts. When such a
thing happens it may lead to one of the parents separating from the spouse, as
a result the child will not have appropriate role models. Conflict,
disagreement or family separation is not healthy for any child especially those
in school. This study will therefore examine the effect of socio-psychological
factor of home conflict as predictor of academic
performance of students.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The study is mainly to identify some
socio-psychological effects of conflicts in the home on the students’ academic
performance. Also, it is to find out the extent to which the
socio-psychological effect of conflict in the home has effectively contributed
to the academic performance of the child.
The study also analyzes the
relationship between the student, his peers and family. The study addresses how
the family stands to influence the positive or negative academic performance of
the child and make some recommendations on how to manage conflict in the home.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The study will have the following
implications:
·
It
will be of benefit to parents and guardians, as it will make them realize the
effect of conflict in the home on the academic and psychological development of
their child.
·
It
will give an insight to the teachers. It
will enable them understand that there is individual differences among students
and tailor their instruction in such a way as to cater for each individual
child.
·
The
study will have implication for policy makers, educators and other stakeholders
as it will reveal some of the reasons for poor academic performances among
students.
·
Finally,
the study will be a springboard for other researchers in the field.
1.5
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions were
formulated to guide the study:
·
Is
there any significant relationship between family influence and academic
performance?
·
Is
there significant relationship between academic performance of a student and
socio-psychological effects of conflicts in the home?
·
Is
there significant relationship between a child's academic performance and
family background?
·
Is
there is no significant difference in the academic performance of students from
home with conflict and those without conflict.
1.6
RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
1. There is no significant relationship
between academic performance and family/conflict homes.
2. There is significant relationship
between academic performance and socio-psychological effect of conflict in
homes.
3. There is no significant relationship
between student academic performance and family background.
4. There is no significant relationship
between students academic performance and the home environment.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
In view of the diverse spread of
socio-psychological welfare in the country, this study will be restricted to
Secondary Schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos. In other words,
data and facts will be restricted to what have been collected from five schools
in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos.
1.8
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study is faced with certain
constraints such as inadequacy of finance, the time available was too short and
as a result of information needed to expand the scope of this work is limited.
Inaccessibility of some vital
information necessary for the study, the school library does not contain
adequate textbooks, which would have helped in making the research work
extensive.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
ACADEMIC: This
is connected with education, especially studying in schools and universities. This involves a lot of reading and
studying rather than practical or technical skills.
PERFORMANCE:
This is how well or bad something is
been done. It is an act of achieving a task or an action.
CONFLICT: A
violent situation or period of fighting between two parties. A situation in
which there are opposing ideas, opinion feelings or wishes.
HOME:
(Used especially about a couple) the
house or flat or apartment that one lives in, with his family.
ACADEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT: The
overall performance of learner. It is the outcome after been exposed to basic
instructions.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
EFFECTS: The environmental
factor. It has to do with low or high intellectual potentials endowed in the
background of the learner.
ATTITUDE: This
is a tendency towards or against something in the environment which has either
a positive or a negative effect.
GOOD
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: This
is an achievement that is creditably adjudged to be of above average which is
positive.
POOR
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: This
is negative achievement of a student and it is adjudged by examined testes and
some significant others as fallen below an expected desired standard.
ACADEMIC
FAILURE: This is an
achievement/performance that falls below a specific standard, which is
determined by a teacher or an instructor. The determination of the pass mark is
subjective because pass mark varies.
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