Inter-parental conflict and academic achievement among adolescents of high schools in Bandar Abbas, Iran

Abstract

Research indicated that inter-parental conflict may interfere with adolescent of high schools’ academic achievement. This research was conducted with five objectives namely (1) To identify level of inter-parental conflict problems face by high school students in Bandar Abbas, (2) To investigate the relationship between level of inter-parental conflict and academic achievements among high school students in Bandar Abbas, (3) To examine the difference between parent-parent conflict and other dimensions of inter-parental conflict as perceived by the students, (4) To examine whether there is significant difference in perceptions between female and male towards inter-parental conflict, (5) To investigate the difference among weak, moderate and excellent achievers with regard to inter-parental conflict. Participants consisted of 248 adolescent aged 17-18 who study in 3rd level and pre-university. A 27 items questionnaires was employed to measure inter-parental-conflict (including four dimensions parent-parent conflict, mother-child conflict, father-child conflict, problems in school), and 4 items measured communication with parents. CGPA was used to measure academic achievement. The data were examined quantitatively using, one sample t-test, spearman correlation, paired t-test, independent t-test, and one way ANOVA. Results indicated that (1) students of high schools in Bandar Abbas were faced by high level of inter-parental conflict, (2) a significant negative and strong relationship between academic achievement and all dimensions of inter-parental conflict dimension, (3) the differences between parent-parent conflicts with other dimensions of inter-parent conflict, (4) no difference between male and female in terms of perceived level of inter-parental conflict, (5) significant differences among weak, moderate and excellent achievers with regard to inter-parental conflict. As the implications of this study, some recommendations are put forward for the future research in this area, and for the better resolution and outcome of conflict, respectively from parents, consoler, school administration and teacher.