THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL SUPPORT, SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT, ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN TANZANIA FAUSTINE CHINA A THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA 2015 i i CERTIFICATION The undersigned certify that they have read and hereby recommend for acceptance by the Open University of Tanzania, a thesis entitled: “The Relationship between Social Support, Social Adjustment, Academic Adjustment, and Academic Performance Among College Students in Tanzania” in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree of the Open University of Tanzania. ……........….....................…………… Prof. Issa M. Omari (1st Supervisor). ..................................................... Date ……........….....................………........ Prof. Hossea Rwegoshora (2nd Supervisor) ..................................................... Date ii i COPYRIGHT No part of this thesis may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the author or the Open University of Tanzania in that behalf. iv DECLARATION I, Faustine T. China, do declare that this thesis is my original work, and it has not been submitted for a similar degree in any other University. ……………………........………….. Signature ................................................. Date v DEDICATION I sincerely dedicate this work to: The Almighty God – You are always there to hold my hands; My beloved wife, Brigita Magoha: She truly loves me unconditionally; My mother, Frolida Muhate Sagini, who missed part of my financial support during my studies; She endured all the difficulties; and The memory of my late father, Edward China Tegile, one of my greatest teachers. Wish you were here to share your wisdom and joy with me. v i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The present study is a summation of efforts and experiences of the researcher and other dedicated individuals. This study could not have been completed without their unwavering support and patience. My love and thanks to everyone who supported me during this process. However, a few deserve a mention: I first extend my sincere gratitude to my supervisors, Professor Issa M. Omari, and Professor Hossea Rwegoshora, for their guidance, perseverance and genuine criticism to bring this work to its present form. Their efforts, expertise and commitment to academic work have been most helpful. I am grateful to all staff of the Open of University of Tanzania for their cooperation, and support. My deep gratitude also goes to my beloved wife, Brigita Magoha, and my family for their tireless support, patience, and encouragement during the course of my studies. Finally, I wish to declare that I am responsible for any shortcomings in this work. Any errors that may appear are my sole responsibility. vi i ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social support, social adjustment, academic adjustment and academic performance among college students in Tanzania. The sample of this study comprised 405 students, and 12 staff from the College of Business Education and the Institute of Finance Management in Dar es Salaam. Correlational research design was used to determine the relationships among variables. The study had five objectives, and inferential statistics techniques were applied to determine the relationships among the study variables. The findings of the study showed that social support and academic performance of college students were not significantly related to each other. However, the study revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between social adjustment and academic performance among college students (r = .431, p ˂ .01). The findings also showed that academic performance was significantly related to academic adjustment of college students (r = .604, p ˂ .01), suggesting that students who fit well in the academic environment were likely to excel in academic work as well. Similarly, the study found that social support and social adjustment of college students were positively and significantly related (r = .481, p ˂ .01). The study, among other things, recommended that institutions of higher learning should assist students in identifying and addressing potential barriers to social and academic adjustment programs for students. Among other areas for future investigation, the study suggests to examine variables affecting social and academic adjustment among college students in Tanzania. vi ii TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATION ................................................................................................. ii COPYRIGHT ....................................................................................................... iii DECLARATION .................................................................................................. iv DEDICATION ....................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................. vi ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................... xvii CHAPTER ONE .................................................................................................... 1 1.0 BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ........................ 1 1.1 Introduction to the Chapter ........................................................................... 1 1.2 Predictive Factors of College Students‟ Academic Performance ................... 1 1.3 Social and Academic Adjustment of College Students .................................. 5 1.4 Moderating Impact of Social Support to College Students‟ Work ................. 8 1.5 College Students in the Tanzanian Context ................................................. 10 1.6 Statement of the Research Problem ............................................................ 15 1.7 The Objectives of the Study ....................................................................... 16 1.8 Research Hypotheses.................................................................................. 16 1.9 Conceptual Framework .............................................................................. 17 1.10 Chapter Summary ...................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................. 21 REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................................. 21 2.1 Introduction to the Chapter ...................................................................... 21 2.2 The Concept College Adjustment ............................................................ 21 ix 2.2.1 Social and Academic Adjustment ............................................................ 24 2.3 Models of College Adjustment ................................................................ 26 2.3.2 Russell and Petrie‟s (1992) College Adjustment Model ........................... 30 2.3.3 Tinto‟s Student Integration Model ........................................................... 32 2.4 College Student Socialization .................................................................. 35 2.4.1 Weidman‟s Conceptual Model of Undergraduate Socialization ............... 36 2.5 Relationship between Social Adjustment, Academic Adjustment and Academic Performance .......................................................................... 39 2.6 The Concept and Practice of Social Support ............................................ 43 2.6.1 Theoretical Models of Social Support ...................................................... 46 2.6.1.1 Stress and Coping Theory ....................................................................... 46 2.6.1.2 Social-Cognitive Model .......................................................................... 48 2.6.1.3 Relationship Perspective ......................................................................... 48 2.6.2 Functions Served by Social Support ........................................................ 48 2.6.2.1 Emotional Support .................................................................................. 50 2.6.2.2 Esteem Support ....................................................................................... 50 2.6.2.4 Companionship Support .......................................................................... 51 2.6.2.5 Tangible Assistance or Material Support ................................................. 51 2.6.3 Categories of Social Support ................................................................... 51 2.6.3.1 Social Connectedness .............................................................................. 52 2.6.3.2 Perceived Social Support ......................................................................... 53 2.6.3.3 Actual or Enacted Social Support ............................................................ 54 2.6.4 Social Support and Academic Performance ............................................. 54 2.7 Academic Performance Among College Students .................................... 58 x 2.7.1 Theory of Educational Productivity ......................................................... 59 2.7.2 The Four Commonplaces of Academic Adjustment ................................. 61 2.7.3 Motivational Model of School Performance ............................................ 62 2.8 Predictors of Academic Performance Among College Students ............... 63 2.8.1 Students‟ Prior Achievements ................................................................. 65 2.8.2 Demographic Variables and Academic Performance ............................... 67 2.8.2.1 Gender and Academic Performance ......................................................... 68 2.8.2.2 Parental Education Level and Students‟ Academic Performance .............. 69 2.8.2.3 Socioeconomic Status and Students‟ Academic Performance .................. 71 2.8.3 Personality and Other Personal Attributes .............................................. 74 2.8.3.1 The Self-efficacy Phenomenon ................................................................ 74 2.8.3.2 Locus of Control and Academic Performance .......................................... 78 2.8.4 Students‟ Approach to Learning and Learning Styles .............................. 79 2.8.5 Motivational Factors and Academic Performance .................................... 81 2.8.6 Institutional Factors and Students‟ Involvement in College Life .............. 83 2.8.6.1 Model of Influences of Student Learning and Persistence ........................ 85 2.8.6.2 Conceptual Model for Research on Student-Faculty Informal Contact ..... 86 2.9 Synthesis and Knowledge Gap ................................................................ 90 2.10 Chapter Summary.................................................................................... 90 CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................. 92 3.0 RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES .......................................... 92 3.1 Introduction to the Chapter ...................................................................... 92 3.2 Area of the Study .................................................................................... 92 3.3 The Study Paradigm ................................................................................ 93