Academic Stress and Behavioral Problems among Public High School Students

Abstract

Introduction

This study was conducted to determine the effect of academic stress on behavioral problems of high school students in Candaba, Pampanga. Specifically, it described the profile, the levels of academic stress and behavioral problems of selected 604 public high school student respondents in Candaba, Pampanga.

Methods

This study employed a descriptive-quantitative type of research.

Results

Findings showed that the ages of the students ranged from 12 to 21 with a mean of 14.57 and a standard deviation of 1.37. The majority of the respondents are females. Results likewise showed that student respondents occasionally encountered academic stress. Respondents agreed that they have behavioral problems that caused absenteeism, drop-out, and failing grades. Moreover, it was found out that highly significant differences existed between the behavioral problems of students and gender. Furthermore, academic stress in terms of attitudes toward school, family pressure and teacher pressure significantly affects the behavioral problems of high school students' respondents. Academic stress in terms of fear of failure and peer pressure was found not significant determinants of students' behavioral problems.

Discussions

Based on the findings, the following conclusions were derived: The profile of the students in terms of age is significant affects the school behavioral problems in terms of violation of school rules and regulations and absenteeism. However, respondents' profile in terms of gender has no significant effect on their behavioral problems. The level of academic stress in terms of gender has no significant effect on their behavioral problems. The level of academic stress of students significantly affects their school behavioral problems in terms of violation of school rules and regulations, absenteeism, drop-out, and failing grade.