Ma’aruf Nuhu Batagarawa, Ph.D
Abstract
This study explores psychological effects of stress and self-esteem on academic achievement among secondary school students in Batagarawa, Katsina state. The study tested two hypotheses. The study adopted descriptive survey research to collect data from a population of 895 SS II students in public senior secondary schools of Batagarawa Local Government. For the purpose of this study, 180 students were randomly selected from three senior secondary schools. Three instruments were used, namely: Stress Identification Questionnaire consisting of 12 items in likert form (adapted from Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale with ten items and four-scale likert type (adapted from Rosenberg) to measure the stress and self esteem perception, and the third instrument which deals with academic achievement of students. Reliability of the first two instruments was determined by their original authors at 0.85 and 0.92 while the last was found to be 0.7. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was employed in data analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Results of finding show that negative relationship exist between stress and academic performance of secondary school students. Similarly, there is significant relationship between self-esteem and academic performance of secondary school students in Batagarawa. On the basis of these findings, the study recommended that there should be enlightenment campaigns by government agencies, and non-governmental organizations for parents and children on the dangers inherent in stress. It was also recommended that the current practice of appointing career masters to perform the role of professional counsellors should stop, and be replaced by professional counselling master so that functional guidance services could be provided for students to improve their self esteem and reduce stress and consequently improve in academic performance.