INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE OF STUDENT IN DELTA STATE, ABRAKA

BY

EVENTUS RAPHAEL C.

DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA

APRIL, 2015
 INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE OF STUDENT IN DELTA STATE, ABRAKA

BY
 EVENTUS RAPHAEL C.

DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA

APRIL, 2015
 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Environment influence before now have not considered as one of the

factors that affects academic performance in higher institution, hence it has

little or no attention in educational discourse and consideration. But over

the past decades in correlation between the environment and academic

performance of students. Environment play a major role in the life of every

individual whether a student, teachers, employer or employee.

Though some people are yet to believe that environment bring about

better performance. Udoh (1980) in this article “the environmental health

problems in Nigeria schools” identified some unhealthy practices in our

school, inadequate facility, poor ventilation etc, most of our schools have

no lights, insufficient facilities, sick buildings and no ventilation etc.

Most of our schools, especially the higher institutions in Nigeria are

affected by the environmental influence which will in turn reflect on the

student performance. Therefore for the student to carry out his/her learning

process effectively and efficiently it is necessary that learning take place in

a conducive environment.

Hence, it is penitent to critically look at the environmental factors

that influence academic performance of students. Measures that can help

improve them and make some recommendation because at the very heart of

our educational mission is the goal of improving academic performances.

Studies have shown that environmental factors to a very large extent

affect both the physical and psychological potential of an individual. This

word led to the contention that many students tail to develop their potential

is due to inadequate environmental stimulation. However, there are some

environmental factors which have contributed to the poor performance of

student which are home background, inadequate school facilities, misuse of

technology such as internet and school climate, such as student teacher

relationship, class rooms, libraries, technical workshops, laboratories,

teachers quality, school management, teaching methods, peers etc are

variables that affect students academic achievement (Ajayi 2001 and

Oluchukwu 2000). Hence, the school environment remains an important

area that should be studied and will managed to enhance students academic

performance.
 The issue of poor academic performance of students in Nigeria has

been of much concern to the government, parents, teachers and even

student themselves. The quality of education not only depends in the

teachers as reflected in the performance of their duties, but also in the

effective coordination of the school environment (Ajao 2001). School

environment which include instructional spaces planning, administrative

places planning, the teachers as well as the students themselves are

essential in teaching – learning process. The extent to which student

learning could be enhanced depends on their location within the school

compound, the structure of their classroom, availability of instructional

facilities and accessories. It is believed that a well planned school will gear

up expected outcomes of education that will facilitate emancipation,

effective teaching and learning process and academic performance of the

students.

Relating this study to international occurrences are the assertions of

Williams, Perand, and Turnet (2008), quoting Marsden (2005), which

reported that safe and orderly class room environment (aspect of

instructional space) school facilities (accessories) were significantly

related to students academic performance in schools. The three researchers,

also quoted Glassman (1994), asserting that a comfortable and caring

environment among other treatments helped to contribute to students

academic performance.

The physical characteristics of the school have a variety of effects on

teachers, students, and the learning process. Poor lighting, noise, high

levels of carbon dioxide in class rooms, and inconsistent temperatures

make teaching and learning difficult. Poor maintenance and ineffective

ventilation systems lead to poor health among students as well as teachers,

which leads to poor performance and higher absentee rates (Frazier, 2002,

Lyons, 2001 and Ostendat 2001). These lead to higher levels of frustration

among teachers and poor learning attitude among students. Beyond the

direct effects that poor facilities have on students ability to learn, the

combination of poor facilities which create an uncomfortable and

uninviting workplace for teachers, combined with frustrating behavior by

students including poor concentration and hyperactivity, lethargy or

apathy, creates a stressful set of working conditions for teachers. Because

stress and job dissatisfaction are common precursors to lowered teacher

enthusiasm, it is possible that the aforementioned characteristics of school

facilities have an effect upon the academic performance of students.

Previous studies have investigated the relationship of poor school

environment including problems with student teacher ratio, school

location, school pollution, classroom with student health problems, student

behavior and student achievement (Crandell and Smaldiho, 2000, Davis,

2001, Johnson, 2001, Lyons 2001, Moore 2002, Strichers 2000, tanner,

2000). To complement these studies the present research will examine the

aforementioned of school environment as it affect students performance in

Nigerian schools most especially here in delta state university, Abraka

which is the case study of this research.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

This study examined the influence of environmental factors on the

academic performance of students in delta state university. During the

course of this four research question will guide this study.

In recent times it is has become a common phenomenon to read or

hear incidence of student involvement in anti-social behavior such as

teenage pregnancy/parenting, child abuse, alcohol in takes, drug abus,

rape, prostitution, sexual prevision, stealing, cultism, adolescent suicide,

school dropout and all kind of wanton misdemeanor. Sad to say, these are

some of the influence of the academic performance of student observed

from the delta state university as the case study. Many have agreed that

deviant act perpetrated by students in the higher education are responsible

for the downward turn in academic performance and social adjustment of

these students. It is not certain whether efforts are taken by researchers,

teachers, school administrators and stake holders at linking behavior

among university students to the environmental influence with a view of

curbing these behaviours have yielded any fruits in the past.

In the light of the overall challenge of the influence of environment

on the academic performance of students, this study set out to examined

the effect of its impacts on the academic performance and social

adjustment of selected students in the delta state university, abraka.

1.3 Scope of the Study

The study covers the effect of social problems on the academic

performance and social adjustment of university students in the Delta State

University, Abraka.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

it is on the basis of this study that will help as easily identify some of

the objectives of the environmental influence on academic performance of

students in the Delta State University, Abraka.

 (a)To identify some of the social problems students exhibit in schools.

Thereby affecting the academic performance on the long run.

(b) To determine whether there are significant relationship between

the environmental influence and the general performance of students.

(c)To find out whether there will be no gender difference in student

deviant behaviors.

1.5 Test of Hypothesis

The following hypothesis were tested in this study

(a)The social problems students exhibit in schools will not impact

negatively on their academic performance.

(b) Student social problem will not significantly interfere with the

social adjustment.

(c)There will be no gender differences in student deviant behaviors.

1.6 Limitations of the Study

A part from times frame and shortage of finance, the major

limitations to cover the whole university students in delta State university,

Abraka.

1.7 Significance of the study

 The study will be beneficial to the following individuals

(a) The Student: the findings and recommendation of the study will

informed students and help them to understand the manifestations of

the impact of social problems and its influence on class room

activities.

(b) The Lecturers: this study will easily help lecturers to easily identify

student who exhibit behaviours that reflects on the environmental

influence

(c) The Parents: parents will benefit from knowledge of social problems

which will enable them to identify and associates with their children

with the intent of solving the perceived problems.

(d) School Authority: the school authority will be encouraged to pay

more attention to social re-orientation programmes such as sex

education, health and safety awareness, HIV/AIDs awareness, drug

free initiatives and adolescent counseling programmes.

(e)The Government: Relevant information on the influence of

environmental in the academic performance of student will inspire

government to take pro-active measures which may include enacting

laws that will protect the rights of vulnerable students.

 (f) The Society: this study will create awareness of the impact pof

environmental factors on academics performance. This awareness is

expected to generate concerns for majority of people and stake

holders in the society.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms.

i) Academic Performance: this is the behavior of a student that can be

directly observed by evaluating what he/she has learnt during a course of

study. This behaviours can be measure through class, home work or class

participation.

ii) Deviance: This refers to the possibility of an individual or group

deviating from or established norm.

iii) Social Adjustment: This is the psychological process through which a

student copes with the challenges that his/her peers face daily.

iv) Social problems: A social problem exists when a significant number of

people in the society believe that certain condition is in fact a problem.

 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature Review

This chapter review relevant and related literatures of various

researches in an attempt to relate their work to this study.

The sub-topics discussed in this review include the following

i. The concept of environmental influence on academic performance

and that of social problems.

ii. The sociological and psychological perspective of environmental

influence on students performance.

iii. The influence of home background on the academic performance

of student.

iv. Adolescence social life

v. The family and changing social expectations

vi. Summary of reviewed literature.

2.2 The Concept of Social Life

 The ideal make of the society is such that individuals and groups in

the social system should co-exist in peace and harmony without the threat

to social harmony.

A social problem is a concept that is often misconstrued by many.

This assumptions is true because conditions that may see as social

problems harm some segment of the society but are beneficial to others.

Some other people are not able to draw the line between the effect of

environment in academic performance and that which affect us personally

and the ones that effect us socially.

This group of people sees social problem as problems that affect us

personally, for example if a boy resumes late for school daily, it is a

personal problem but if fifty eight (58%) of boys in the school in that area

go to school late on a daily basis it is a social issues. This perspective

faults the opinion of those who sees social problem as personal issues.

Over the years sociologist and psychologist have built up a body of

basic knowledge about environmental impacts on students performance and

how it help us get a perspective on conflicting and how it help us get a

perspective on conflicting claims about our social problem. Sociologist

sees a set of social role that every set of individual must play and these

role are played in real life situation.

The school environment which include the classrooms, libraries,

technical workshop, laboratories, teachers quality, school management,

teaching method, peers, are variables that affect student’s academic

achievement, (Ajay, 2001 and Oluchukwu, 2000). Hence the influence of

the environment remains an important area that should be studied and well

managed in the higher institution to enhance students academic

performance. The issue of poor academic performance of students in

Nigeria has been of much concern to the government, parents, teachers and

even students themselves. The quality of education not only depend on the

teachers as reflected on the performance of duties that also in the effective

coordination of the school environment (Ajao, 2001) the school

environment which include instructional spaces planning, administrative

places planning, circulation spaces planning, spaces for conveniences

planning. The extent to which student learning could be enhanced depend

on their location within the school compound, the structure of their

classrooms, availability of instructional facility and accessories, it is

believed that a well planned school will gear up expected outcome of

education that will facilitate good social, political and economic

emancipation, effective teaching and learning process and academic

performance of the student.

Relating this study to international occurrences are the assertion of

Williams Persuad and Tunner (2008) quoting Marsden classroom

environment (aspect of instructional space), school facilities (accessories)

were significantly related to students academic performance in schools.

The three (3) researchers also quoted Glassman (1994) ascertaining that a

comfortable and a caring environment among other treatment help to

contribute to the students academic performance. The physical

characteristics of the schools have a variety of effect on teachers, students,

and learning process, poor lighting, noise, high level of carbon dioxide in

classrooms and inconsistent temperatures making teaching and learning

process difficult. Poor maintenance and ineffective ventilation systems

lead to poor health among students as well as teachers. These factors can

adversely affect students behavior and lead to high level of frustration

among teachers and poor learning among student.

2.3 The Sociological and Psychological Perspective of Environmental

Influence on Students Performance

 Sociologist use some broad theoretical perspective to explain the

concept of the influence of the environment on students performance. They

divided the macro-level society into 2 broad perspective namely the

functionalism and conflict theory. And the level of analysis and also the

internationalist theory, a macro level analysis which is by far the most

influential of the social psychology theory in sociology (Coleman and

Gressey, 1990)

From the functionalist perceptive, the society is like living organism,

just as people have a heart and circulatory system, muscles blood and a

brain, a society i.e the environment has a set of economic, political,

religious and family. In this regard every individual has a functional role to

play in the society. The structure of the environment promote integration,

stability consensus, and balance in the society.

When theorist from the conflict perspective look at the environment

which is also the society at which the school operates they see a diverse

collection of social group all struggling for wealth, power and prestige,

they see the society as less as cohesive system and more of an arena of

conflict and power struggles instead of people working together to further

the goals of social system. People are seen as achieving their will at the

expense of others. This is what explain oppression, selfish will and

intolerance in the society. Conflict theory emphasizes the importance of

interests over norms and values. Conflict theory insist that social order is

maintained more by authority back by the use of force.

The feminists theory is a group of theories that share a concern with

the same basic question (Coleman 1999) the lesson from feminism is that

while treating social problems. It is important to give attention to the

adverse it on the reverse side of it.

2.4 The Influence of Home Background in the Academic Performance

of Student

There have been several studies done within and outside Nigeria, on

the effect of home environment as well as the socio economic status of

parents on academic achievement of students in the higher institutions.

Research has found many factors that influences home well a student does

in school and the amount of confidence the student have for themselves.

However in Nigeria like other growing economics, families are finding it

more difficult to stay connected with their children education. Parents are

becoming isolated from their children and finding it difficult to keep a

careful watch on what need to be done to help their children succeed in

schools with changes in the family life, and indeed the societal makeup,
schools are now finding it difficult to keep parents informed of and

actively engage them in the day to day progress of their children (Bertrand

2005).

Teachers and administrators are discovering that the support that

once received in getting students to do their homework is not there,

because the parents are not home to insist that students complete their

assignment.

Families faces various problems causing emotional disturbance

among their children, this will in turn affect the academic performance of

the students in general. This factor shows how important the home

background affect the performance of student. The influence of home

environment in students education has been a major topic of study for the

later part of the 20 th century.

2.5 Adolescent Social Life

The concept of social life of adolescents is associated with the way

they live their lives in various communities, to adapt to various rules and

regulations of the socially balanced if he experiences no difficulty in

adjusting to the rules and the norms of the society where he find himself,

but when reverse is the case the social problem arises therefore the
adolescent whose social arises therefore the adolescent whose social life is

free of problem will be adjusted.

Adolescent need to make some adjustment for example the transition

from secondary school to the university system coupled with the ability to

grapple with the numerous subjects they are to take and different course

lecturers, the problems of emotional disturbance emanating from home, the

school itself and their peers will cumulatively lead to educational

deficiency such as poor study habit, under achievement, low self esteem

and lack of motivation to learn.

In the school environment an understanding of the fact that the

adolescent is not just a passive but an active recipient of whatever the

school participant in the actual social situation, who may or may not decide

to cooperate at the level required (Osareren 2002).

2.6 Adolescent Academic Performance and Social Adjustment

Academic performance of student in the classroom is very important

as this is capable of determining whether the student is doing well or not

lecturers, school administrators attach much importance to students

academic performing well academically, then they see all other efforts of
the students in school programme as a total waste. Academic performance

defines the totality of the child in his school life.

The school authority i.e. the university system measures academic

performance in several ways which include, number of standardized test

and even examination, by this method areas of strength and weakness in a

student academic career is determined and elevated in order to improve the

learning process of the students. From research some factors which

influence students academic performance include hard work and discipline,

family income, parents education, previous schooling and self motivation.

Aside students academic performances the social adjustment in and out- of

school environment is also very critical. Social adjustment and academic

performance go along with each other, as one will either affect or

compliment the other, social adjustment is the psychological process

through which people manage or cope with their demands and challenges

of everyday life (Kelvin and Robert 1991). The concept of adjustment is

associated with what maybe called living system, like system of an

organism group or individuals and social system such as social

organization. The personal aspect of adjustment can be determined by

asking the person about his feelings, attitudes, cognitive and behavoural
characteristics, only the individual can subjectively access the degree of

adjustment and satisfaction experienced (Hannah and Mildiarsky 1999).

In general terms adjustment refers to an individual general adaptation

to his environment and the demand of life such and as the way he relates to

other people that is inter-personal behavour, handle his responsibilities,

deals with stress and meet his own needs and life satisfaction. The society

is dynamic and change is the constant thing, so the individual ability to

review his attitude and behaviours per time is an essential ingredient of

adjustment.

2.7 The Family and Changing Social Expectations

The families have often been regarded as the cornerstone of the

society. In pre-modern and modern society alike it was been seen as the

most basic unit of social organization which carries out vital task such as

children socialization.

Some form of family is universal to others, it structure and tradition

varies enormously from one place to another. Some have seen that these

changes as a symptom of greater individualism within modern societies,

others have lamented the changes and worried about the effect on the

society and most especially the school environment. That is why some
group of sociologist argue that the family has lost a number of its functions

in modern industrial society. Prior to industrialization, the family was a

self supporting productive unit, children receive their education within

household and learn all they need to know from their parents or older

brothers and sisters.

The family is a primary site for social capital, the family factor plays

an important role in student academic achievement (Coleman 1999, Pacel

and Duffer 1998). This family supply students for education in schools it is

the family that possesses the fundamental interests in the educational

enterprise at all level in every society. The numbers of sibling also affected

academic performance, as the numbers of siblings increase, individual

academic performance decreases (Downey, 1995).

Parental involvement have been said to affect the academic

performance of students. Students who have well educated parents and

parents with high educational expectation contribute largely to students

educational attainment. Specifically a fathers involvement in school work

has positive effect on their children’s academic performance/success

(Alderman-Swain, 2000).

2.8 Summary/Appraisal of Literature Reviewed

 This chapter attempted to review several empirical studies to

demonstrate the influence of the environment of students academic

performance in the higher institutions. The consensus was the social

problems are created by the failure to close the gap between the

environment and the academic performance of students. The adolescent

social life is associated with the way they live their lives in various

communities and their ability to adapt to various rules and regulation of the

society brings social adjustment.

On academic performance of student the reviewed showed that some

factor which influence students academic performance include hard work

and discipline, family income, parents education, previous school and self

motivation. The family and changing social expectations, it was discovered

that over time the industrial revolution has transformed family life

(Wilkins 1979). The problem of emotional disturbance emanating from

homes, the school environment itself and peer influence may cumulatively

lead to educational deficiencies such as poor study habit, under

achievement, low self esteem lack of motivation to learn. Eventually all

these complexities may lead to poor performance of students in their

academic endeavours or pursuits.

 CHAPTER THREE

The research set out fundamentally to study the effect environmental

influence on the academic performance of students in the Delta state

University, Abraka.

The chapter covers the following sub-headings;

i. Research design

ii. Population of the study

iii. Sample and sampling techniques

iv. Instrument

v. Validity

vi. Reliability

vii. Administration of data

viii. Data analysis

3.1 Research Design

The study employed the use of descriptive survey design. The choice

of descriptive design is the appropriate sociological research design for

measuring the attitudes and behavior of a large number of people. Since it

is seldom possible to question everyone concerned with a certain social

problem, a sample is therefore used.

 The descriptive survey design is therefore used to examined the

influence of the environment on academic performance of students in the

Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State.

3.2 Population of the Study

The population of the study comprises of randomly selected students

in the Delta State University, Abraka (300 students)

3.3 Sampling and Sampling Techniques

The stratified sampling technique was used to select samples for the

study. The sample of the student comprises of three hundred (300) selected

from six different department in the faculty of social science and fifty

student in each department, making a total of 300 students.

The sample was gender based in each department, 25 males and 25

females, were selected. It total of one hundred and fifty (15) males and one

hundred and fifty (150) females, making a total of one hundred and fifty.

3.4 Instrument

There were 2 self constructed instrument, a 20 item multiple choice

achievement test in government current affairs to determine the academic

performance of student and a 25 item questionnaire of the influence of the

environment on academic performance of student. The questionnaire was

divided into 2 segment, section A and B respected, section A contains

students bio data, like name, sex, level, age, discipline etc. while B

contains 25 items covering the influence of environment in academic

performance.

3.5 Validity

The achievement test and questionnaire were validated by experts in

measurement and evaluation, professional colleagues and my supervisor. A

table of specification displaying retirement test items was designed in

order to ensure content validity.

3.6 Reliability

To ensure the reliability and consistency of the test instrument, the

research carried out a pilot study. The pilot study was carried out in 15

students randomly selected from a sample of the population of the students.

The research administered the two test instrument namely a 20 items

multiple choice achievement test in government current affairs and 25

items questionnaires in the influence of the environment on academic

performance of students. A week after, the same test was re-administered

to the same group of student to ensure consistency of the test instrument.

The researcher makes their raw scare to correlate. The performance of the

student in both administration using Pearson product moment correlation

statistical tool to ascertain the content of predicate validity of the

instrument the result of the reliability is 0.62.

3.7 Administration of Data

The researcher administered the multiple choice achievement test and

questionnaire to the students. The test and questionnaires were retrieved in

same day they were administered the result of the items were kept for

future use.

3.8 Data Analysis

Data collected through the achievement test and questionnaires were

analyzed in relation to the first postulated null hypothesis of the study.

Also the researcher made use of the questionnaire, social behavour and

social adjustment to establish the null hypothesis two using Pearson

product moment correlation to ascertain the first the second null

hypothesis. The researcher made use of the independent t-test statistical

tool on the raw scare generated on students gender deviant behaviours to

ascertain the null hypothesis three, each was tested at 0.05 level of

significant.
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Results

This chapter presents the data and interpretation of results of

research carried out in the Delta State University, Abraka. The data

collected were analysed based on the hypothesis. The research

questionnaire and the achievement tests were administered concurrently to

three hundreds respondents to the selected university. The analysis was

carried out using statistical packages for social science (SPSS). Descriptive

statistics of frequency cant, percentage, Pearson product moment

correlation and independent t-test statistics were used to analyze the data

to verify the hypothesis raised for the study.

4.2 Demographic Profile of the Respondents

The target population was three hundred students of the Delta State

University. The data collected on demographic characteristics of the

respondents were analyzed and the results obtained are shown below:

Table 1: Distribution of Respondent by Gender of Students

Sex Frequency Percent Valid Percentage

Male 170 56.7 56.7
Female 130 43.3 43.3
Total 300 100.0 100
 Table 1 show that the most respondent are males 56.7%, while the

female are 43.3% distribution of respondent by gender of students of Delta

State University, Abraka.

4.3 Hypothesis Testing 1

The social problems students exhibit in school will not impact

negatively on their academic performance. In order to ascertain it a

significant relationship exists between problems exhibited by students in

school and their academic performance a Pearson product moment

correlation statistics was adopted, using the raw scares generated from the

questionnaires and their performance in an achievement test.

Table 2: Difference in Social Problems Students Exhibit in School and

their Academic Performance

Variables N Mean Std. Df r-call r-cab P inference

dev
Social problems 300 43.67 8.180 298 0.255 0.195 0.5 significant
Academic P. 300 49.67 16.93

4.4 Hypothesis Testing 2

Students social problems will not significantly interfere with their

social adjustment. In order to determine whether there are significant

relationship between the environmental influence and the general

performance of students a Pearson product moment correlation statistics

was adopted, using the raw scores generated from the questionnaire.

Table 3: Difference in Students Social Problems and Social Adjustment

Variables N Mean Std. dev Df r-call r-cab P inference

Social problems 300 43.64 8.180 298 0.305 0.195 0.5 significant
Academic P. 300 41.19 9.415

Interpretation of Data

Table 3 above shows that the mean scores of students social problems

(436) is greater than their general performance (41.2). also, the standard

deviation of students social problems (8.2) is less than their social

adjustment performance (9.4). in addition, the correlation coefficient r-

value, of the two variables is (0.3). the calculated r-value insignificant

since it is greater than the critical r-value of (0.19), given 298 degrees of

freedom at 0.05 level of significance. Consequently, the null hypothesis Ho

which states that students social problems will not significantly interfere

with their social adjustment is thus rejected.

4.5 Hypothesis Testing 3

 There will be no gender difference in students deviant behaviours in

order to ascertain if a significant deference exists between male and female

in students deviant behavour, an independent t-test statistics was adopted,

using the raw scores generated from the questionnaires administered on the

300 respondents.

Table 4: Difference in Male and Female Students Deviant Behavour

Performance Sex N Mean Std. Std Df r-cal r-cab P Inference

dev error

mean
Social problems M 170 43.59 8.720 0.669 Not significant
Social problems F 130 43.70 7.449 0.653 298 0.111 1.645 0.05

Interpretation of Data

Table 4 above shows that the mean scores, standard deviation,

standard error, the t-calculated and t-tabulated from the probability level

0.05 has recorded. It is obvious that the mean deviant behavour of the

female (43.7) is slightly greater than the mean deviant behavroiu of the

male (43.6). we therefore conclude that the levels of deviant behavours in

both sexes are the same. Meanwhile, the total (0.11) is less than the t-tab

(.6) which implies that there is no gender differences in students deviant

behavours. Hence, the null hypothesis is thus accepted.

Discussion of Findings

From the findings of this study, one could safety conclude that

students academic performance and social adjustment in school are largely

affected by the social problem around them. The research findings show

that the social problems that students exhibit in the university environment

have a negative impact on their academic performance. This fact is

corroborated by a study carried out by Romer (1993), some of the factors

which influence academic performance include hard work, discipline, class

attendance, family income among others. A negative of these critical

values constitute social problems which became readily obvious in most

public schools today, and this results in poor academic performance.

Another important findings from the research is that student social

problems significantly interfere with their social adjustment. In line with

the assumption of Kelvin and Robert (1999), social adjustment is a

psychological process through which people cope with the demand and

challenge of everyday life.

Since adjustment is psychological, then it therefore follows that

social problems among student will tend to create an imbalance that will
eventually affect them. Studies have shown that adjustment in school is a

very important aspect of student life. This is the reason teachers have been

advised to be more concerned with adjustment of student in school. The

primary purpose of education is to train students to be well adjusted in

their social life. According to Cohn (1995), human beings have the

capacity to adapt to new situations, they adapt to physical demands as well

as to social pressures. It is therefore necessary to states that social

pressures play an important role in the choices students makes also, the

research has been able to establish that there is no gender difference in

students deviant behavours. The average performance of both male and

female student deviant behavours are very close. The research therefore

conclude that the levels of deviant behavour in both sexes are the same.

This is supported by research studies establishing the fact that deviant

behaviours is not gender based. Girls as well as boys indulge in deviant

behaviours problems of youth restiveness, indiscipline and sexual

promiscuity are exhibited by both male and female students. Adenuga

(2006), supported this claim by starting that sexual promiscuity is not a

new phenomenon in Nigeria especially among the university sector.

Research has not proved that any sex is more deviant tree than the other,

however, it may be assumed that the boys may indulge more in a specific
deviant girls and vice-versa (Nwokedi, 1992), from the discussion of

findings, above, this research work may claim to have achieved its set

goals, that is, that social problems have a negative effect on the academic

performance and social adjustment of university students in the country.

 CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

This study sampled three hundred (300) students of the Delta State

University, sneaks, from six (6) randomly selected department of the

faculty of the social sciences. In order to investigate the relationship

between social problems in schools and academic performance and social

adjustment of students, two test instruments were deployed namely the

questionnaire and achievement test instruments. The result showed that

there was a significant relationship between social problems and academic

performance and social adjustment of students.

5.2 Conclusion

The study set out to examine effect of social problems on the

academic performance and social adjustment of the students of the Delta

State University, Abraka. The findings that emerged from the research

work are;

i. The social problems that students exhibit in school have negative

effect on their academic performance.

ii. Students social problems significantly interfere with their social

adjustment.
 iii. There is no gender differences in students deviant behavior.

There is prevalence of deviance, disturbances, crises, unrest and all

sorts of anti-social behaviours in the society. That is why Osaat (1999),

referred to the present Nigeria generation as a generation of youth

associated with social vices. How these problems affect students have

becomes a concern for parents, teachers, authorities, government and the

general public. These problems have been found to be associated with poor

academic performance and social adjustment of university students in the

state

5.4 Recommendations

On the basis of the findings of the study, the following

recommendations are offered;

i. Teachers should be provided moral, psychological and physical

support to students and also live by example. This will help

students avoid or deal with deviant behaviours.

ii. Parents should be enlightened to appreciate the benefits of

encouraging and motivating their children to achieve a balanced

academic and social life. They should also make regular

 unscheduled visits to their children’s schools to see how they are

faring.

iii. The school authorities should embark on providing and

encouraging recreational activities such as athletics, football,

track and field, debating societies, scrabble and creative writing.

These activities will inculcated discipline in the students, and also

keep them away from deviant and criminal attitudes. They will

equally develop the spirit of sportsmanship, friendship,

competitiveness and comradeship which are essential to social

balance.

iv. Government should endeavour with adequate facilities. This will

enhance a conducive climate for learning, thereby minimizing

students stress which often engender acts of deviance.

5.5 Suggestions for Further Study

Based on the findings in the study, the following suggestion are

offered for future studies.

i. Effort should be made by the researcher to cover the area of effect

of social economic status of parents on the academic performance

and social adjustment of students.

ii. The scope of the study should be further broadened to

accommodate more schools than this research was able to cover.

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