THE EFFECT OF SELF-CONCEPT ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IKOM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVERS STATE
Downloads
Objective: This study investigated the effect of self-concept on the academic performance of secondary school students in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, focusing on its relationship with academic outcomes, gender, and subject specialization. Method: A descriptive survey research design was employed, utilizing a validated instrument, the Self-Concept and Academic Performance Questionnaire (SCAPQ). A stratified random sampling technique selected 240 Senior Secondary School II students from six schools, with 228 valid responses analyzed. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, and independent samples t-tests at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Findings indicated a moderate, positive, and statistically significant relationship between self-concept and academic performance (r = 0.462, p < 0.05), while no significant differences were found across gender (t = 1.128, p = 0.260) or subject specialization (t = 0.559, p = 0.577). Novelty: This study contributes empirical evidence from Ikom L.G.A., highlighting self-concept as a universal academic resource that consistently supports students’ performance regardless of gender or discipline, and underscores the importance of targeted interventions in enhancing students’ self-beliefs for improved educational outcomes.
U. Abang, E. B. Henry, and N. Eckson, "Influence of self-concept on academic performance of secondary school students in mathematics in some selected public secondary schools in Calabar Municipality Local Government area, Cross River State, Nigeria," Equatorial Journal of Education and Curriculum Studies, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 61–68, 2021, doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3982424.
U. Abdulwahid, "Relationship between self concept and academic achievement among secondary school students in Zaria Education Zone, Kaduna State, Nigeria," Journal of Research in Education and Society (JRES), vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 86–92, 2013.
J. Afufu, "Students’ academic self-concept and their academic achievement in mathematics in Bekwarra Local Government area of Cross River State," Education Journal, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 302–310, 2024, doi: 10.11648/j.edu.20241305.17.
H. S. Aliero, "Self-concept, parental socio-economic status and academic performance among senior secondary school students in Kebbi State, Nigeria," Sokoto Educational Review, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 12, 2018, doi: 10.35386/ser.v18i1.43.
A. Anino, "Self-concept as a correlate of secondary school students academic performance in mathematics," International Journal of Education and Practice, vol. 3, no. 7, pp. 235–240, 2015, doi: 10.18488/journal.61/2015.3.7./61.7.235.240.
A. N. Anyanwu, N. E. Ezenwosu, and K. E. Emesi, "Examining secondary school students’ self-directed learning, self-regulated learning strategy and academic self-concept as predictors of academic achievement in mathematics in Anambra State, Nigeria," African Journal of Educational Management, Teaching and Entrepreneurship Studies, vol. 14, no. 2, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ajemates.org/index.php/ajemates/article/view/672
O. J. Ayodele, "Self-concept and performance of secondary school students in mathematics," Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, vol. 1, no. 1, 2011, doi: 10.5539/jedp.v1n1p176.
S. M. Brookhart, How to Use Grading to Improve Learning. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2016.
K. Cherry, "What is self-concept?," Verywell Mind, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-concept-2795865
J. W. Creswell and J. D. Creswell, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 5th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2018.
M. Hailu, A. Abie, M. G. Mehari, T. E. Dagnaw, N. K. Worku, D. Esubalew, L. W. Limenh, A. M. Delie, M. Melese, and E. T. Fenta, "Magnitude of academic performance and its associated factors among health science students at Eastern Ethiopia University's 2022," BMC Medical Education, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 1288, 2024, doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-06296-z.
C. Huang, "Gender differences in academic self-efficacy: A meta-analysis," Eur. J. Psychol. Educ., vol. 28, pp. 1–35, 2013.
C. Huang, "Self-concept and academic achievement: A meta-analysis of longitudinal relations," Journal of School Psychology, vol. 49, no. 5, pp. 505–528, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2011.07.001.
A. Ismaila and M. R. Yahaya, "Students’ academic performance in mathematics and physics in boarding and day senior secondary school examinations in Nasarawa North Senatorial Zone: 2020-2024," International Journal of Educational Research and Library Science, vol. 7, no. 8, 2025, doi: 10.70382/tijerls.v07i8.047.
A. Karelis, M. Dubuc, and M. Aubertin-Leheudre, "Gender differences in academic performance of high school students: The relationship with cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle endurance, and test anxiety," International Journal of Preventive Medicine, vol. 11, no. 1, p. 201, 2020, doi: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_258_18.
H. W. Marsh and R. G. Craven, "Reciprocal effects of self-concept and performance from a multidimensional perspective: beyond seductive pleasure and unidimensional perspectives," Perspectives on Psychological Science, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 133–163, 2016, doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6916.2006.00010.x.
H. W. Marsh and A. J. Martin, "Academic self-concept and academic achievement: relations and causal ordering," The British Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 81, pt. 1, pp. 59–77, 2021, doi: 10.1348/000709910X503501.
H. W. Marsh and R. Shavelson, "Self-concept: Its multifaceted, hierarchical structure," Educational Psychologist, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 107–123, 1985.
H. W. Marsh et al., "The reciprocal effects model of self-concept and achievement," Educational Psychologist, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 190–210, 2015.
W. R. Meek and D. M. Sullivan, "The influence of gender, self-identity and organizational tenure on environmental sustainability orientation," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, vol. 23, no. 3, p. 1850018, 2018, doi: 10.1142/s1084946718500188.
J. Möller, S. Zitzmann, F. Helm, N. Machts, and F. Wolff, "A meta-analysis of relations between achievement and self-concept," Review of Educational Research, vol. 90, no. 3, pp. 376–419, 2020, doi: 10.3102/0034654320919354.
I. V. S. Mullis et al., TIMSS 2019 International Results in Mathematics and Science. Chestnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, 2020.
C. O. Nja, J. O. Ukwetang, R. E. Orim, H. A. Neji, G. O. Edu, J. U. Ukah, and M. A. Olofu, "Cultural resources, academic self-concept, and achievement of chemistry students in senior secondary schools of Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria," Frontiers in Education, vol. 7, 2022, doi: 10.3389/feduc.2022.896833.
C. O. Obialor, C. I. Onyemakara, A. O. Okeke, and M. T. Nwankwo, "Secondary school students self-concept as a correlate of academic achievement in basic science in junior secondary school in Awka Education Zone, Anambra State, Nigeria," UNIZIK Journal of STM Education, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 44–53, 2023.
OECD, PISA 2022 Results (Volume I): The State of Learning and Equity in Education. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2023, doi: 10.1787/53f23881-en.
L. O. Ogben and C. N. Nwokolo, "Effect of self-management technique on academic self-concept of secondary school students from broken homes in Delta State," Journal of Guidance and Counselling Studies (JGCS), vol. 9, pp. 119–135, 2025
A. U. Okeke, "Secondary school students’ self-concept as a correlate of academic achievement in Basic Science, Anambra State," UNIZIK Journal of STM Education, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 24–35, 2023.
E. C. Okigbo and O. E. Onoshakpokaiye, "Relationship between academic self-concept and academic performance in mathematics of secondary school students in Delta State, Nigeria," Indonesian Journal of Mathematics Education, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 63–71, 2023, doi: 10.31002/ijome.v6i2.991.
J. Pallant, SPSS Survival Manual, 7th ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press, 2020.
N. N. Samuel, I. G. A. Okonkwo, and O. O. Okonkwo, "Emotional intelligence and self-concept as predictors of academic achievement among secondary school chemistry students in South-East Nigeria," AJOTE, vol. 13, pp. 86–110, 2024.
R. J. Shavelson, J. J. Hubner, and G. C. Stanton, "Self-concept: Validation of construct interpretations," Review of Educational Research, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 407–441, 1976.
S. J. Spencer, C. M. Steele, and D. M. Quinn, "Stereotype threat and women’s math performance," J. Exp. Soc. Psychol., vol. 35, pp. 4–28, 2016
D. Voyer and S. D. Voyer, "Gender differences in scholastic achievement: A meta-analysis," Psychological Bulletin, vol. 140, no. 4, pp. 1174–1204, 2014, doi: 10.1037/a0036620.
T. T. York, C. Gibson, and S. Rankin, "Defining and measuring academic success," Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 1–20, 2015, doi: 10.7275/hz5x-tx03.
Copyright (c) 2025 Charles Ekpung Akata, Nkanu Ovai Nkanu, Anietie Imo Effiong

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.














