The Influence Of Academic Self-Efficacy And School Anxiety On School Refusal BehaviourAmong Secondary School Students In Oyo State

Abstract

School refusal behaviour has become a growing concern among educators and policymakers due to its negative impact on academic achievement, mental health, and social development in adolescents. This study examined the relationship between academic self-efficacy, school anxiety, and school refusal behaviour among secondary school students in Oyo State, Nigeria. The objective was to determine the levels of these variables and the extent to which academic self-efficacy and school anxiety predict school refusal behaviour. A descriptive correlational survey design of correlational type was adopted. The study population comprised all secondary school students in Oyo State, from which a sample of 300 students was selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, researcher-designed questionnaire. The instrument demonstrated good reliability, with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.86 for academic self-efficacy, 0.78 for school anxiety and 0.81 for school refusal behaviour. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson's correlation, percentage and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that academic self-efficacy (r =.153, p<0.05) and school anxiety (r =.171, p<0.05) had significant relationship with school refusal behaviour. Also, the independent variable accounted for 37.9% of the variance of school refusal behaviour (R2 adj. = .379). Academic self-efficacy (β = .190, p<0.05) and school anxiety (β = .204, p<0.05) made significant relative contribution to school refusal behaviour among secondary school students in Oyo state. It could be inferred from the findings that academic self-efficacy and school anxiety are potent predictors of school refusal behaviour among the cohorts in the study. Interventions that enhance students' confidence and reduce anxiety are essential for reducing school refusal behaviour.

Abimbola Adepeju Oluokun & David Akinlolu Adeyemo, PhD. The Influence Of Academic Self-Efficacy And School Anxiety On School Refusal BehaviourAmong Secondary School Students In Oyo State. Ibadan Journal of Educational Studies, 23(2), 67-77.