The objective of the present study lies in investigating the relationship between functional aspects of a family that children perceive and factors of their academic achievement motivation in order to identify how those factors are influential on chil...
The objective of the present study lies in investigating the relationship between functional aspects of a family that children perceive and factors of their academic achievement motivation in order to identify how those factors are influential on children's adaptation to school life, with an outlook that the study could be the empirical data that put into practice for school and social welfare policies.
The questionnaire-based survey was performed against the subjects of 5th and 6th elementary school graders from March 30th to April 3rd, 2009, accordingly for a total of statistically effective 202 subjects being extracted the data of which was, using a tool of SPSS 12.0, processed through frequency analysis, T-test, one-way ANOVA, multivariate ANOVA and regression analysis.
The key result from the study is as follows;
Firstly, familial functioning perceived by children was proven higher scored according to current job status in their parents, TV/computer using time, economic level and academic records, while academic achievement motivation had statistically significant relationship with children's grade in school, rearing condition after school, TV/computer using time, economic level and academic records. The analysis on background variables significantly affecting family functioning and academic achievement motivation showed that the subfactor of economic level was closely related with the former, and the subfactor of school grade was closely related with the latter.
Secondly, the perceived familial functioning by children had positive correlation with their school adjustment. It was identified that, as for family cohesion, school adjustment be better exercisable as for children in the family that provided most adequate familial surroundings for individual development and appropriately bridged the independent desire by individual with the sense of family ties. Meanwhile, as for family adaptation, school adjustment was identified better workable in structural and flexible families that harmonize the existence of self-assertion by family constituents, share in leadership and roles, compromise on successful role-playing and openminded familial morals.
Thirdly, the analysis on how family functioning in children's perception and academic achievement motivation influenced on school adjustment argued that; academic achievement motivation had statistically significant correlation with teacher-child relationship, peer relationship, participation in school classes and compliance on school regulations, while family cohesion had statistically significant correlation with peer relationship and participation in school classes. It must be noted that family cohesion as a subfactor of family functioning was much more affected by psychiatric and emotional ties based on inter-dependency and interaction among family members, which demonstrated that children in elementary school be more susceptible for family cohesion rather than family adaptation because the sense of unity and affection was of outstanding importance in their ages.
Based on the results extracted from the present study, suggestions are made as follows;
Firstly, much emphasis as a practical implementation must be made by grouping the whole family as one familial unit when intervention is incorporated for better adjustment in school life. In other words, the guidance network in schools and other social welfare facilities must be strengthened in such a way that family functioning be invigorated for intervention to children's school adjustment, more specifically, in school life adaptation programs, consultation with parents and so on.
Secondly, it is needed to pay educational attention on each of academically retarded children to compensate for their intellectual/emotional lack through well-designed programs and specific action plans.
Thirdly, policies must be adopted in a manner of realistic effectuation so that problems in those who get behind in school adjustment be properly solved by implementing detailed programs along with spiritual/materialistic and systematic welfare countermeasures including effective investment and management. Namely, the fundamental and professionalized infra must be constructed to enhance children's adaptation to school life.
In closing, more reliable inventory to accurately scale out the school life adjustment for elementary school children must be drawn for further in-depth studies.