Perceived Effect of Pubertal Developmental Body Changes on Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement Among Public Primary School Pupils in Sagana, Kirinyaga West Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Pupils in puberty stage face several challenges that affect their self-esteem and academic achievement. Low self-esteem is manifested when level of confidence, satisfaction and acceptance is dismal in pupils during puberty stage. Academic achievement of pupils is also affected as boys and girls in puberty stage perform dismally. Puberty stage is a developmental stage for a human being characterized by increased changes in bodies of the young people. The body changes are manifested in emotional, physical and attitude changes that affect their behavior. During the onset of this period, many young people attending school become affected posing potential risks to optimal academic achievement and self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived effect of pubertal developmental body changes on selfesteem and academic achievement among pupils in Sagana, Kirinyaga West Sub- County, Kenya. This study employed descriptive survey research design that comprises both quantitative and qualitative research procedures used for obtaining information from a large population. The researcher targeted 480 respondents comprising of twelve class teachers and 468 pupils in classes six and seven in six schools. Simple random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 214 pupils from the target population of 468 pupils. The researcher also used purposive technique to obtain a sample of twelve class teachers. The researcher used questionnaires for teachers and pupils as well as achievement records for pupils to collect data. Validity of the instruments was confirmed through expert judgement from the Department of Education at Chuka University. The questionnaires and achievement tests were tested for reliability. Two schools were purposively selected for testing of the instruments using split half method. With a coefficient (α=0.81), the instruments were considered reliable for data analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative data were generated. Computer programme Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 21 was used to analyse quantitative data that generated frequencies and percentages which were presented in Tables and Graphs. For qualitative data, content analysis was used to arrange data into themes. Findings indicated that girls are affected more than boys in terms of self-esteem academic performance. Also, the findings revealed that pubertal physical development changes are manifested differently in boys and girls with girls being affected most. The study findings indicated that occurrence of most of the pubertal development body changes reduce self-esteem of the pupils. Class participation, concentration and class attendance in girls was affected than boys yet performance was below that of girls especially during menstruation. The general perception is that boys are significantly satisfied than girls during puberty. This study concluded that while pubertal physical body changes occur in both boys and girls, the manifestation of the changes is more in girls than boys with boys exhibiting fewer effects. The study recommends that more strategies to help girls manage the pubertal changes should be devised as a means of improving their selfesteem and academic performance. The findings of this study will benefit pupils, teachers, NGOs, Ministry of Education and academicians.