Assessment of Perceived Psychosocial Effects of Single Parenting on Academic Performance of Student of Achievers University Owo, Ondo State

Abstract

Background: The child’s home is a primary agent of education where the child acquires socialization. The home lays the psychological, psychosocial, moral and spiritual foundation in the overall development of the child. Life as a result of single parenting can be stressful for both the students and their parents.
Aim: This study aimed to explore emotional challenges facing single parenting respondents; social challenges faced by respondents from single parents and the influence of single parenting on the academic performance of respondents.
Method: A descriptive non-experimental research design was adopted. The convenience sampling technique was used to select 316 respondents in Achievers University. Data was collected using a self-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Result: Results showed that the majority of the respondents 66.8% were female and the majority of the respondents’ parents 47.2% have separated. Results also revealed the majority of the respondents stated the educational challenges faced by students of single parents such as lack of learning materials (62.3%), financial problems in school (69.3%), absent from school, disobey school rules (60.4%), paying school fees late (60.1%) and indiscipline (52.9%). The result also revealed the emotional challenges faced by students from single parents; feel lonely and can fall into depression (65.2%), display signs of fear (70.9%) and (78.2%) express jealousy to their peers.
Conclusion: The study concludes that students from single parents have emotional educational and social challenges, which have a major influence on their academic performance. Parents whether separated or together should be encouraged to ensure they are actively involved in the day-to-day activities of their children.