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Influence of Gender, Age, and Academic Attitude on Academic Stress among Secondary School Students

Emmanuel Akpoebi Dennis, PhD

Abstract

This study examined academic stress among secondary school students, with emphasis on the influence of selected personal variables, namely gender, age, and academic attitude. The study adopted an analytic descriptive survey design. A total of 306 Senior Secondary One (SS1) students were selected from public secondary schools in Northern Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State, Bayelsa State, participated in the study. Data were collected using the Academic Stress Questionnaire , a researcher-developed instrument. Mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were used for data analysis at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that gender and academic attitude significantly influenced students’ academic stress levels, with female students and those with negative attitudes reporting higher levels of stress. However, age was found not to have a significant influence on academic stress. The study concluded that academic stress among secondary school students is largely shaped by psychological and attitudinal factors rather than age differences. Based on the findings, it was recommended that school counsellors should intensify educational guidance programmes aimed at helping students develop positive attitudes toward their studies, tests, and examinations in order to reduce academic stress and improve overall student well-being.

Keywords

Academic stress; coping strategies; gender; age; academic attitude; stress management.

References

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