Family and peer influence its relation to the Academic performance of the Senior High

School Students of Buug National High School S.Y. 2022-2023

Background of the study

Academic activities are directed towards ensuring that students gain mastery of

educational objectives. In schools, the extent to which these objectives have been met is

determined greatly by the interaction of peer groups which could possibly reflect in student’s

academic performance. Peer group play a large role in the social, emotional and academic

development of students. Allen in Steinberg (2005) maintains that peer group influence begins at

an early age and increases through the teenage years. Thus, understanding the prospects and

challenges of peer group is crucial for the productivity of educational processes and the

organizational design of school systems in order to improve student’s academic performance.

Hamm et al. in Lavy and Schlosser (2007), argued that, “for many students, friendships are

critical interpersonal vehicle that move them towards psychological growth and maturity,

allowing social compassion which influences the development of self-evaluation”. The above

statement suggests strongly, the unprecedented effect of peer group in almost all facet of

adolescent’ s growth. Such effect could be seen in social and emotional lives of young people,

which does not end at the above mentioned, but could also manifest in their attitude towards

educational activities and careful consideration of these elements has shown that they reflect in

the academic performance of students. However, Castrogiovanni (2002) defined peer group as a

small group of similar age, fairly close friends, sharing the same activities. In its most acceptable
form, peer group is a healthy coming-of age intermediary, by which youth grasp negotiating

skills and learn to deal with challenges and to solve problems in a social context. Peer group can

also act as positive role model, for example, if one is involved with a group of people that are

ambitious and working hard to attain high academic goals, one might feel pressured to follow

suit to avoid feeling excluded from the group. A negative peer influence could be seen as one of

the militating forces why most student record poorly in academic performance, the reason for

this is not farfetched: they spend large amount of time in extra curriculum. More often than none,

academic priorities are neglected and thus academic performance grossly affected.Academic

performance refers to excellence in all academic discipline. Steinberg (2005) posits that

academic performance encompasses students’ ability and performance; it is multi-dimensional; it

is intricately associated to human growth and cognitive, emotional and social physical

development. Academic performance also refers to how well a student is accomplishing his tasks

and studies. There should be a interrelated relationship between peer group and academic

performance. It was believed that student’s academic performance correlates with the group he or

she belongs. Peer Influence can be either positive or negative. If a student is influenced

negatively by peer, it affects his or her academic performance. Nevertheless, stronger student do

have an impact on their peers and actually help improve their overall academic performance.

Conversely, positive peer Youinfluence on academic performance depends on person’s self-

identity, self-esteem and self-reliance. Peer influence can as well inspire student’s academic

vigor and motivation for achievement (Lashbrook, 2000). Peer relations are never more

prominent than in adolescence which falls within the age group under this study. They spend

more time than adults interacting with peers and recording a very high degree of happiness in

peer contexts, while giving the greatest priority to peer norms for behavior (Brown and Larson,
2009). This developmental stage in affiliation motivation appears to be highly preserved across

peers. However, peers can also have a negative influence. They can encourage each other to skip

classes, steal, cheat, use of drugs or alcohol, or become involve in other risky behaviours.

Majority of adolescents with substance abuse problems began using drug or alcohol as a result of

peer pressure. Negative peer pressure may influence in various ways like joining group who

drink alcohol, smoke cigarette and Indian hemp among others. It may also lead to the decision to

have a boy friend/girl friend, Peer pressure indulges youth into loitering about in the streets,

watching films and attending parties during school hours, taping as alternative to stealing which

may eventually graduate into armed robbery. (Arief, 2011),Peer pressure may be present in the

workplace, at school or within the society, it can affect people of all ages. It may affect people in

different ways but here, the focus is on peer group as it influences academic performance of

secondary school students in Biology . In support of this view, Ezewu (2012) advised that the

school must therefore use peer group energies to promote rather than impede good learning. It is

therefore necessary to let students realize the reason why they have to be careful in choosing

their friends so that their attitudes toward learning would be improved as the peer group they

belong can have effect on their learning negatively and positively. Peers are so critical to an

adolescent’s should provide boundaries from which teens form their identity, while peers form

the cushion of support during the fragile time that identity is being formed. These boundaries that

enables him to internalize the values that form his character to foster his learning that he acts

accordingly without generating retribution from authority or rejection from his peers. It is on the

backdrop the study seek to investigate the influence of peer group on the academy performance

of secondary school students in Buug national high school .

Significally it aims to answer the following questions:

What is the level of family and peer influence of the senior high school students of Buug

national high school S.Y. 2023-2024

1. What is the level of academic performance of the senior high school students of Buug

national high school S.Y. 2023-2024

2. Is there a significance relationship between family and per influence to academic

performance of senior high school students.

Conceptual framework

Family and peer influence Academic performance

Always High

Sometimes Average

Never Low
Theoretical framework

This theory proposes that individuals learn through observation imitation and

modeling of the behaviors attitudes and values of those in their social environmental the

context of senior high school students academic performance this theories suggest that family

and per influence play a significant and academic attitude family system theory bowen 1978

this theory emphasize the interconnectualness of family members and low changes or

dynamics within the family unit can affect on individuals function it suggests that conflict

support or expectations within the family can have repercussions on a student academic

performance for instance a supportive family environment may positively influence academic

success.

Scope of the study

Its relation to the academic performance of senior high school students to examine the

impact of family dynamics on senior high school students academic performance to

investigate the influence of peer groups on academic achievement to explore the interface

between family and peer influence and their combined effect on academic performance the
study could involve senior high school students as the primary participants families of the

students and their peer groups may also be included.

Significance of the study

The findings of this study will be helpful in determining some of the factors

associated to the peer groups in relation to their academic performance. The factors when

identified will form a base for proffering appropriate solutions to parents and teachers to

beware of the ways they can direct peer group relationship. The result will also guide

counsellors to find the best ways of handling peer groups relationship. The students will also

benefit from the study by acquiring knowledge on peers that can hinder their progress in

academic. The result will enable the teacher to know more about the peer group which in turn

will continue to enhance teaching and learning process. It is also hoped that the present

research study will at least provide some background information for future study on the

topic.

Definition of terms
 The term family and influence insulation to the academic performance of senior high

school students refers to the study or concepts that explores how how could family and peer

dynamics can impact the academic achievements of students in the senior high school level

this research are investigated how interactions within the family and peer groups can either

positively or negatively affect a students a students academic performance and overall

educational experience.