Students’ academic success in higher education is influenced by several psychological, economic and environmental factors, among which mental stress has emerged as a critical determinant. Increasing academic demands, examination pressures, financial difficulties, and uncertainty about future employment have exposed many tertiary institution students to heightened psychological distress, which may negatively affect concentration, motivation, learning engagement and academic achievement. This study examined the relationship between mental stress and students’ academic performance in Colleges of Education in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between academic stress and academic performance as well as the relationship between financial stress and academic performance. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of students enrolled in Colleges of Education in Anambra State, from which 721 students were selected as respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while students’ academic performance was measured using academic achievement indicators. Data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation to test the degree of relationship while p-value was used for decision making for the hypotheses. Findings revealed that students experienced high levels of academic stress (cluster mean = 3.26) and financial stress (cluster mean = 3.18). Correlation analysis showed a low negative but statistically significant relationship between academic stress and students' academic performance (r = -0.160, p < 0.05). Financial stress had a very weak positive and non-significant relationship with academic performance (r = 0.043, p > 0.05). The study concluded that academic stress is a more important correlate of students' academic performance. It was recommended that college administrators should strengthen counselling services, implement stress management programmes, improve student support systems and provide learning environments that promote students' psychological well-being which will improve students’ academic experiences and performance in Colleges of Education.
Mental stress, academic stress, financial stress, academic performance.
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.