Self-Concept, Self-Efficacy and Self Esteem as Predictors of Academic Performance in Mathematics among Junior Secondary School Students in Edo State

Abstract

This study examined Self-Concept, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Academic Performance in Mathematics among Junior Secondary School Students in Edo State. The main purpose of the study is to determine the relationship between self-concept and academic performance in mathematics of Junior Secondary School students in Edo state. The study adopted the correlation research design. A sample of 3,639 was drawn from a population of 36,615 junior students in Edo state. The data generated for the study were obtained through a self designed questionnaire. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression were used to analysed the data collected. The result obtained revealed the following: there was a positive relationship between self-concept and academic performance in mathematics among junior secondary school students, there was also a negative relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance in mathematics among junior secondary school students in Edo state. The study thus concluded that self-concept and self-efficacy are not only significantly related to academic performance, they significantly predict academic performance of students. It was therefore recommended that adequate and sufficient attention must be given to sustain the development of positive self-concept and self-efficacy of students in the school system, while deliberate efforts should be made to build up the self-esteem of the students and Teachers should be offered professional guidance by educational authorities on these self-constructs in students as an avenue to improve on students’ academic performance.