Impact of Psychological Distress on Academic Performance of Female Students in Tertiary Institutions in Lagos State Nigeria.

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of psychological distress on academic performance of female students in tertiary institutions in Lagos State. It is a quantitative research study which was carried out in three tertiary institutions in Yaba Local Government Area. The research instrument is a close-ended questionnaire designed by researchers to collect relevant and needed data from respondents. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings from the study revealed that the key psychological factors that affect female students’ academic performance include; economic factors and physical/natural changes. These key psychological factors as revealed by the study can bring about both academic and non-academic challenges such as; responsibilities of motherhood, gender inequality, gender-based violence against women and girls. Other challenges are; early marriage challenges, financial instability, female monthly cycle, intimate relationship challenges which could lead to heart breaks and depression. These challenges as revealed by this study have the propensity to alter the state of mind of female students making them feel unpleasant and release negative energy that could result in low performance in all aspects of their academics.