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Family variables and academic achievement in adolescence

Abstract:

The study examines the relationships between academic performance in adolescents, the amount of time spent doing homework, and family variables (including demographic variables and parental educational style), together with developmental trends and gender differences. The sample consisted of 2400 adolescents aged between 12- and 17-years from 20 different schools in Andalusia. The time spent on homework and parents' education level are the variables most strongly related with academic achievement. Dimensions of parental style contributed to explain variability in academic performance, as four of them had a significant influence. However, while in two cases, behavioural control and disclosure, this relationship is positive, in psychological control and mood, it is negative. Gender differences were found in the variables studied, i.e., in general, the girls' performance was better. A reduction of academic achievement during the course of adolescence was observed in both sexes, though this was more pronounced among males. © 2012 Fundación Infancia y Aprendizaje, ISSN.