EFFECT OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, SELF ESTEEM, AND SHYNESS ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the effect of perceived social support, self-esteem and shyness on academic achievement of students. The study’s central objectives were: to find out the level of perceived social support, self-esteem and shyness and students’ academic performance; to examine the gender difference for social support, selfesteem, shyness, and to find out the effect of perceived social support, self-esteem and shyness on student’s academic performance. BS learners from Hazara Division’s public sector universities (University of Haripur (UoH), Hazara University Mansehra (HU) and Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST)) were the population of study. The total size of sample was 400 learners, containing 202 male students and 198 female students. The study was descriptive in nature. Stratified random sampling technique was used to collect the data, it included BS students from 7 and 8 semesters. The data was thus collected using 3 questionnaires (perceived social support, self-esteem and shyness). After collecting the data, it was analyzed through descriptive statistics, student t-test as well as regression. It was established that Shyness has profound negative effect on students’ academic performance. This study also shows that shyness has profound negative effect on male students’ academic performance. On the basis of findings, it was recommended that a supportive environment in school may be created where practice of identifying the interests of the students and engaging them according to their interests. Policy makers of education may improve polices that help reduce the shyness from students and help to build confidence in them.