Vol. 12(1), pp. 1-10, January, 2024.

https://doi.org/10.14662/arjpc2023.050

ISSN: 2384-6178

 

 

Research Paper

 

Academic Self-Concept, Mental Health and Academic Engagement of In-School Adolescents in North Central, Nigeria

 

¹ Jacob Omede, PhD

 

Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, University Of Jos, Nigeria. E-mail: jacobomede@gmail.com. Tel. 08038822124.

 

Accepted 12 December 2023

Abstract

 

This study examined the state of wellness as well as the relationships that exist among academic self-concept, mental health and academic engagement of in-school adolescents in north central Nigeria. A sample of 300 respondents was drawn through accidental sampling procedure from 3 states namely Kogi, Nasarawa and Plateau. 100 respondents were drawn from 4 secondary schools in each of the states. The instrument used for data collection was named Academic self-concept, mental health and academic engagement questionnaire (ASMAEQ). ASMAEQ was personally designed by the researcher from the literature reviewed. ASMAEQ had 3 sections that reflected the 3 variables examined. Each of the variables had 18 items making a total of 54, and it was a likert type questionnaire. The instrument was administered with the aid of research assistants from schools in each of the three states used for the study. The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics. The findings of the study included that the academic self-concept and academic engagement of in-school adolescents were low and poor but that mental health was good and positive and that academic self-concept and mental health positively correlated very highly to academic engagement. Based on these findings, suggestions that could improve in-school adolescents self-concept were put forward to include among others, that, parents and teachers respect adolescents’ ideas, identify and recognize their strengths and weaknesses, encourage them on self-praise and help them to set realistic and achievable goals.

 

Key words: Adolescents, Academic self-concept, mental health, academic engagement, North Central Nigeria.

 

Cite This Article As: Omede, J. (2024). Academic Self-Concept, Mental Health and Academic Engagement of In-School Adolescents in North Central, Nigeria. Acad. Res. J. Psychol. Counsel. 12(1): 1-10