Emotional Adjustment and Academic Performance of Public Senior School Students in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between emotional adjustment and academic performance of public senior school students in north central Nigeria was investigated. One research question was raised and answered and one hypothesis formulated and tested. Three research instruments, namely, Psychosocial Adjustment Questionnaire (PAQ), Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) and English Language Achievement Test (ELAT) were for data collection.  The PAQ, MAT and ELAT were administered to 383 students drawn from 16 schools across North-Central States of Nigeria. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation to answer research question on the basis of the values of r (coefficient of correlation). Any correlation coefficient value below 0.50 was considered low while those above 0.50 was considered high. The hypothesis on the other hand, was tested at 0.05 level of significance by comparing the p-value (probability values) of Pearson’s product moment correlation obtained from SPSS application with the significance level at 0.05.  Results reveal that there is significant relationship between emotional adjustment and academic achievement of public senior secondary schools in north central Nigeria. It was therefore recommended among others based on the present findings of the study, that parents be sensitized on the need to liaise with school counselors and teachers the strategies that will enable their wards adjust emotionally in school so that they can learn better in school.