Self-concept and Academic Achievement of Delinquent and Non-delinquent Students in Imo State, Nigeria

This study investigated self concept and academic achievement of delinquent and non-delinquent students. A total of 120 subjects comprising of 60 non-delinquent students randomly selected from two secondary schools and 60 delinquent inmate from Boys Approved Remand home for delinquents in Imo state were used for study. The 120 students (60 delinquents and 60 non-delinquents) responded to two research instruments namely Adolescent Personal Data Inventory (APDI) for self concept and Achievement Test Battery (ATB) for academic achievement. Three hypotheses were formulated and statistically tested. Result of analysis of variance (Anova) and Sheffe’s multiple comparison testing indicate that there is a significant difference between self concept of delinquent and non-delinquent students and their academic achievement. There is also significant difference between delinquent and non-delinquent students academic achievement and furthermore result indicate a significant difference between the self concept of delinquent and non-delinquent students. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that government should provide professional psychologists and counselors to schools, and that such should be concerned with the development of self concept of their students for better academic achievement.