Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): MAAUN International Journal of Postgraduate studies (MIJPS)
Articles

The Influence of Family Structure on Academic Achievement among Senior Secondary School Students in Bauchi State, Nigeria

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  • U. S. Saleh,
  • A. S Haruna
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59479/jiaheri.v2i1.130
Categories

Published 03/11/2026

Keywords

  • Family size,
  • birth position,
  • academic achievement,
  • secondary education,
  • Nigeria,
  • family systems theory
    • ...More
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How to Cite

Saleh, U. S., & Haruna, A. S. (2026). The Influence of Family Structure on Academic Achievement among Senior Secondary School Students in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Journal of Institute of Africa Higher Education Research and Innovation (IAHERI), 2(1), 137–143. https://doi.org/10.59479/jiaheri.v2i1.130

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of family structure specifically family size and birth position on the academic achievement of senior secondary school students in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Guided by Family Systems Theory and Birth Order Theory, the study employed a correlational survey design using a stratified random sample of 394 students from 20 public secondary schools. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire and analyzed using correlation and ANOVA statistics. Results revealed that family size had no significant relationship with academic achievement (r = -0.08, p = .26) and that birth position showed no significant differences in academic performance (F = 0.95, p = .42). These outcomes challenge traditional birth-order and resource-dilution hypotheses, indicating that other psychosocial and environmental variables may better explain academic variance. The study concludes that family structural variables are limited predictors of academic success in Bauchi State and recommends that policy efforts focus on strengthening emotional and instructional support systems in schools.

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