Adolescence dropout risk predictors: Family structure, mental health, and self‐esteem

Abstract

This study investigated the predictive roles of family structure, mental health, and self-esteem in dropout risk among school-going adolescents in the Ibadan Municipality of Oyo State, Nigeria. A quantitative research design approach was adopted. A total of 287 school-going adolescents with consistent record of absenteeism were randomly selected from 14 schools in the Ibadan Municipality. A single adapted questionnaire divided into sections was used to collect data. The hypotheses raised were tested using the Pearson's product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis. The study established that the relationship between dropout risk, lack of family structure (r = 0.491, n = 287, p < 0.05), mental health (r = 0.373, n = 287, p < 0.05), and self-esteem (r = 0.428, n = 287, p < 0.05) of the participants was significant.Furthermore, the joint influence of the predictive variables (family structure, mental health, and self-esteem) was also significant on dropout risk (R = 0.489, adjusted R 2 of 0.398).The study concludes that dropout risk among school-going adolescents can be safeguarded with factors such as family structure, mental health, and self-esteem as guided against.Hence, the family structure, mental health, and self-esteem are very crucial if the upsurge of school dropout that is bedeviling the society will be reduced to bearable level or eradicated.

A Mixed Methods Research Study on School Dropout and Mathematics-Related School Dropout

“…According to the results of the quantitative analyses, 9.8% of the adults dropped out of school or did not continue to a further school level due to personal reasons. Failure of students to adapt to school can be considered among the personal reasons for school dropout as related studies reported (Battin-Pearson et al, 2000;Christenson & Thurlow, 2004;Lawrence & Adebowale, 2022;Mikkonen et al, 2018). Also, the other social factors of school dropout findings are supported in related literature (Aküzüm et al, 2015;Brewster & Bowen, 2004;Marphatia et al, 2019;Weybright et al, 2017) Another finding of the research is that academic failure experienced by the students also leads to school dropout or not continuing education.…”

“…As the causing factors of school dropout, the literature highlights financial factors (Franklin & Trouard, 2016;, family-related reasons (Carpenter & Ramirez, 2008;Rumberger, 1983), psychological and health problems (Liinamaa et al, 2022), environmental conditions (Dıyu, 2001;Hunt, 2008;Hussain et al, 2011;Şahin et al, 2016;Tamer, 2014), teacher and peer relationships (Contreas et al, 2022;Yavuz et al, 2016), absenteeism (Rodriguez & Conchas, 2009;Tabuchi et al, 2018), working in a job outside school (Orfield, 2004), and migration and school change (Friedenberg, 1999). According to the related literature, family structure, family conflict, and family separation increase the likelihood of students' school dropout (Lawrence & Adebowale, 2022). Insensitive and indifferent families towards their children, insufficient importance given to education by the family, parents' educational level, the death of the mother or father, the separation of the parents in terms of family integrity, the high number of siblings, and the occurrence of domestic violence are among the reasons why students drop out of school or do not continue to a further school level.…”

Psychological study of siblings subsystems – methodological considerations

“…And, especially people who face different problems need to have a stable foundation in space and time, which can be their family environment. Their family's respect, care and attention as well as help and support give them strength to cope with difficulties more effectively, let them experience more satisfaction with life and take care of their health in long term (Lawrence and Adebowale, 2023;Romm, Metzger and Turiano, 2021). It is noted that family support can be provided by any family members, also siblings, grandparents or further relatives (Fan and Meng, 2022).…”

Understanding School Dropouts Phenomenon among Youths through Behavioural Trends

“…Most of the research has focused on a few elements of family characteristics, such as parents' education, career, economic, marital, and health status, family relationship and structure, as well as parents' awareness toward their children's education. In most developing nations, the socioeconomic position has been shown to be a reliable indicator of school dropout Lawrence & Adebowale, 2023). For instance, several studies in African nations have shown that students decide to leave school because of their family's economic status Bzour et al, 2022;Koslouski et al, 2022;Lawson et al, 2020;Nash et al, 2019;.…”