Impact on Studying

Sydney Morning Herald, 14 May 2009

Research has suggested that parental attitudes have a greater impact on students’ academic motivation but that their peers have a greater influence over their social and emotional wellbeing.

The study from the University of Sydney included 3450 Australian students in years 7 to 12 and considered the importance of relationships for the students. It assessed their academic outcomes, including motivation, engagement, homework completion, enjoyment of school, attendance and educational aspirations, as well as their non-academic outcomes, including physical self-concept, honesty and emotional stability.

The report found that the attitudes of parents and teachers had the greatest impact on students’ academic outcomes while students’ peers had the greatest impact on their non-academic outcomes. It also found that positive connections and quality relationships with teachers, parents and peers were all important in adolescents’ lives.

Professor Andrew Martin, the lead researcher for the study, stated that ‘the implications of the research are that fostering positive peer affiliation and relationships, and addressing and targeting negative peer interactions, will have positive emotional and social effects. That speaks to the needs of very serious efforts to addressing all forms of bullying.’

The study has been published in the latest edition of Teachers College Record.

 

 

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