Family Variables as Predictors of Self-Concept and Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Benue State, Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated family variables as predictors of self-concept and academic achievement of secondary school students in Benue state, Nigeria. METHODS: The study adopted a correlational research design. The sample of the study consisted of seven hundred and twenty (720) SS II students. The study research questions were analyzed using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, while the hypotheses were tested using regression analysis at 0.05 probability level. RESULTS: The findings revealed a strong positive relationship among family structure, self-concept and academic achievement of secondary schools students. It also revealed that family leadership style like Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive and Neglectful family leadership style had a strong relationship on secondary school students, self-concept and academic achievement. Again, it was discovered that family size had a strong relationship on secondary school students’ self-concept and academic achievement in Benue state, Nigeria. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that there exists a strong relationship between family structure and self-concept of secondary school students; family structure predicts students’ academic achievements; family size has a low positive relationship with self-concept of secondary school students; low relationship with student's academic achievement; there is a positive relationship between family leadership styles and self-concept of secondary school students.