Influence of Locus of Control and Peer Association on Students’ Academic Self-Confidence in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of locus of control and peer association on students’ academic self-confidence in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District. In carrying out this study, two research questions and hypotheses were formulated. The study adopted the ex-post facto design. A total of 358 SS2 students were selected from a population of 17,886 Senior Secondary School (SS2) students in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District using multi stage sampling technique. The “Students’ Peer Association, Locus of Control and Academic Self-Confidence Questionnaire” (SPALCASQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts. The instrument had a reliability index of .80 determined by using Cronbach Alpha reliability procedure. The Mean and Standard deviation were used in answering research questions, while the Independent t-test was used in testing the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that there is a significant influence of locus of control and peer association on students’ academic self-confidence in secondary schools. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that teachers should be trained to incorporate strategies that encourage students to set specific, achievable academic goals, engage in self-reflection, and recognize the impact of their efforts on their success.