Psycho-social Factors and Academic Achievement of Public Secondary School Students in Nyamaiya Zone Nyamira County Kenya

ABSTRACT The study sought to establish the relationship between psychosocial factors and students’ academic achievement in secondary schools in Nyamaiya Zone, Nyamira district. It was motivated by the fact that the academic achievement of most students was low so it was not clear whether psychological factors were responsible or not. Three specific objectives guided the study; to determine the relationship between motivation, social control and self regulation of students and their academic achievement. Using descriptive correlational survey research design, a mix of both qualitative and quantitative approaches and sample size of 254. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide and analyzed using SPSS version 16.The study findings indicate that there exists a significant positive relationship between students’ motivation, social control and self regulation and their academic achievement. It was therefore concluded that based on this academic achievement is highly supported by the psychosocial factors. The study therefore recommended that the teachers, teachers and parents need to remain a learning environment that ensures continued motivation of the students. Students should be encouraged to continue exercising their satisfactory or even more than their currently exercised satisfactory level of selft regulation since this help them to perform better. The study recommends that Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for at-risk or gifted students, should be designed to cater for the variation in the PSF basing on the students’ varied backgrounds this will be further more useful and needed to design targeted interventions. 

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION A

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT v

TABLE OF CONTENT vi

CHAPTER ONE :INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

1.1.1 Historical perspective 1

1.1.2 Theoretical perspective 2

1.1.3 Conceptual perspective 3

1.1.4 Contextual perspective 6

1.2 Statement of the Problem 7

1.3 Purpose of the study 7

1.4 Objectives of the study 7

1.5 Research Questions 8

1.6 Null Hypothesis 8

1.7 Scope of the study 8

1.8 Significance of Study 9

CHAPTER TWO :LITERATURE REVIEW 10

2.0 Introduction 10

2.1 Theoretical review 10

2.2 Conceptual Framework 12

CHAPTER THREE :METHODOLOGY 24

3.0 Introduction 24

3.1 Research Design 24

3.2 Population of the study 24

3.3 Sample Size 24

3.4 Research Instruments 25

3.5 Validity 25

3.6 Reliability 25

3.7 Data Gathering Procedures 26

3.8 Data analysis 27

3.9 Ethical Considerations 28

3.10 Limitations of the Study 28

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION  30

4.0 Introduction 30

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS,38

5.0 Introduction 38

5.1 Discussion 38

5.2 Conclusions 43

5.3 Recommendations 43

APPENDICES 61

APPENDIX ITRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR THE RESPONDENTS 61

APPENDIX II CLEARANCE FROM ETHICS COMMITTEE 62

APPENDIX III INFORMED CONSENT .63

APPENDIX IV: QUESTIONNAIRES 64

APPENDIX VI Sample size (s) required from the given population size 67