SELF–ESTEEM, PEER PRESSURE, EXAMINATION ANXIETY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS IN DELTA NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined self-esteem, peer pressure, examination anxiety and the academic performance of senior secondary students in Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State. Six research questions and six hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a correlational research design. The population of the study comprised all public Senior Secondary School Three (SSS 3) students in Delta North Senatorial District. The sample of the study comprised 1,647 senior secondary school students in Delta North Senatorial District. A multistage sampling procedure was used. A questionnaire and students’ English Language questions were used for data collection in this study. The face validity of the questionnaire was examined through experts’ judgment while factor analysis was used to estimate its content and construct validities. The reliability was tested by using Cronbach’s alpha for estimating the internal consistency of the instrument. This yielded a reliability index of 0.61 for Self-Esteem Rating Scale; 0.70 for Peer Pressure Rating Scale; and 0.71 for Examination Anxiety Rating Scale. The data obtained were analysed with Pearson’s coefficient of determination and regression statistics at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between self-esteem and academic performance; between peer pressure and academic performance; between examination anxiety and academic performance; and among self-esteem, peer pressure, examination anxiety and the academic performance of senior secondary school students. The study, however, found that there is no significant moderating impact of sex and school location on the relationship between self-esteem, peer pressure, examination anxiety and the academic performance of senior secondary school students. The study recommended that Guidance counsellors should implement the psychoeducational program in schools to provide a chance for students to express themselves and develop their self-esteem and self-confidence.  Article visualizations: