Relationship between Psychological Adjustment and Academic Achievement of Students of Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE) of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between psychological adjustment and academic achievement among sociology students of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE) programme at Ahmadu Bello University. A correlational research design was adopted, and data were collected from 260 students selected from a population of 1,760. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between psychological adjustment and academic achievement, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.917, exceeding the ritical value of 0.113 at 258 degrees of freedom, and a p-value of 0.000 less than 0.05. Based on these findings, it was recommended that IJMBE management should provide orientation, mentorship, and counselling programmes to enhance students’ emotional resilience and adjustment to higher institution life. Additionally, developing emotional intelligence and academic skills such as self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social competence will further improve students’ adjustment and academic performance.

Keywords: Psychological adjustment, academic achievement, Higher Institution