Parental Support and Motivation towards Learning among Students in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of parental support on students’ motivation towards
learning among Senior Secondary School 2 (SSS2) students in Ibadan North Local Government
Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions, two hypotheses,
and the Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler Model of Parental Involvement Process guided the
study. A descriptive survey design was employed. The study population comprised 1,343 SSS2
students across the 42 public secondary schools in the local government area. Using
disproportionate-to-size sampling technique, ten schools were selected and 400 students (40
per school) were sampled for the study. A self-constructed questionnaire titled: “Parental
Support and Motivation towards Learning among Students Questionnaire” (PSMLSQ)” was
used to collect data. The questionnaire was subjected to face and content validity and
demonstrated high reliability, with a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of r = .858. This reliability
value was considered adequate for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive
and inferential statistics. Results showed that students are sometimes motivated towards
learning (x₁ = 2.302) and there was a good relationship between parental emotional support
and students’ motivation towards learning (x₁ = 2.676). However, the relationship between
parental instrumental support and students’ motivation towards learning was poor (x₁ =
2.676). Results also showed a positive significant relationship between parental emotional
support and students’ motivation towards learning (r = .359, P< 0.05); but a negative significant
relationship between parental instrumental support and students’ motivation towards learning
(r = -.323, P< 0.05). It was concluded that there is a positive significant impact of parental
emotional support but negative impact of parental instrumental support on motivation towards
learning among the students. It was recommended that parents should provide more warmth,
care, empathy, guidance and basic resources to boost their children’s motivation towards
learning both at home and school.