| dc.description.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. | en_US |
