ACADEMIC STRESS AND ACADEMIC RESILIENCE AS PREDICTORS OF BASIC EDUCATION STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN BASIC SCIENCE IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

Academic stress and academic resilience as predictors of secondary school students’ academic achievement in Basic Science in Anambra State was investigated. Three research questions guided the study, while three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. A correlational research design of a predictive type was used for the study. The population of this study comprised 14, 471 Upper Basic Three (UB 3) students in the 274 public secondary schools in Anambra State for the 2025/26 academic session. The sample size for the study consisted of 800 UB 3 students for the 2025/2026 academic session obtained through simple random sampling and proportionate stratified sampling techniques. Data were collected using a face-validated Academic Stress Questionnaire (ASQ), Academic Resilience Questionnaire (ARQ) and proforma. The reliability values of ASQ and ARQ were ascertained using Cronbach's alpha statistics, which yielded internal consistency values of 0.81 and 0.83, respectively. ASQ and ARQ were distributed by the researcher with the help of six research assistants who were Basic Science teachers who covered the schools in the three zones. Data collected were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that academic stress negatively and significantly predicted secondary school students’ academic achievement in Basic Science in Anambra State. It was further revealed that academic resilience positively and significantly predicted secondary school students’ academic achievement in Basic Science in Anambra State. It was recommended, among others, that the Ministry of Education, Basic Education Commission and professional bodies such as STAN should organize seminars and workshops for Basic Science teachers on the evolution of the best teaching strategy to boost students’ academic resilience and reduce academic stress. That way, students’ academic achievement in Basic Science will be improved upon.