Self-Esteem, Self-Determination and Academic Performance Among High School Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31154/isc12.v12i3.83.574-586Keywords:
self-esteem, self-determination, academic performance, high school studentsAbstract
Despite the recognized importance of academic performance to be a significant predictor of future success, many highschool students still have difficulty finishing school tasks on time. This problem raises questions regarding the internalfactors—specifically, self-esteem and self-determination—that impact student accomplishment. Developing successfulteaching methods requires an understanding of how these psychological factors impact academic achievement. Studentsin Grades 11 and 12 at Polillo National High School in the Philippines participated in this study, which used a quantitative descriptive-correlational methodology to investigate the relationship between self-determination, self-esteem, and academic performance. Findings revealed that students demonstrated moderate levels of both self-esteem (M = 2.79, SD = 0.37) and self-determination (M = 2.79, SD = 0.37), along with good academic performance (M = 3.11, SD= 0.48). Grade level significantly influenced self-esteem (p = .001) and self-determination (p = .000), while sex showed nosignificant difference in self- esteem (p = .588) but did in self-determination (p = .031). Age had no significant effect on either variable. Correlational analysis showed a moderate positive relationship between self- esteem and academic performance (r = 0.40, R² = 0.16) and a strong positive relationship between self-determination and academicperformance (r = 0.61, R² = 0.37), both statistically significant (p = .000). These results support Covington’s Self-Worth Theory and Deci and Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory, emphasizing that enhancing self-worth and intrinsic motivation can improve student outcomes. School-based interventions that strengthen self- esteem and self-determination may becrucial in fostering better academic performance among senior high school students.
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