SOCIO PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS OF HOME CONFLICT AS PREDICATORS OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
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 socio –
psychologically 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.
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.
SOCIO PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS OF HOME CONFLICT AS PREDICATORS OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS