Family Structure and Academic Achievement Motivation of Adolescent Students in Haramaya Senior Secondary and Preparatory School, East Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study examined academic achievement motivation (AAM) and associated personal (age, grade, sex) and familial structural factors (intact, single, and step family background) among a sample 201 (94 males and 107 females) adolescent students in one of the peri-urban schools of east Hararghe zone (Haramaya). Data were collected through an inventory containing twenty four items being adapted from previous versions. Data were analyzed using a blend of descriptive and inferential statistical methods that were successively conducted to examining the status of AAM (one-sample t-test), ANOVA, regression analysis), and the pair-wise comparison (Scheffe test) of the three categories of family structures. Findings indicated that adolescent students had a reasonably acceptable level of AAM that was remarkably influenced by family structure compared to other personal factors. Although sex couldn’t make significant main effects, its interaction with family structure yielded significant effect on AAM in such a way that boys from intact family were found to stand in sharp contrast mainly to girls from step family background. Attempts were made to explain findings within the existing ecological and socio-cultural profile of the study area. Recommendations were also suggested to help properly addressing the gaps noted in this research.