INFLUENCE OF ACADEMIC STRESS ON ACADEMIC MOTIVATION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to determine “Influence Of Academic Stress On Academic Motivation Of Undergraduate Students In The University Of Benin, Four research questions were raised. The study adopted the purposive sampling techniques. The population for the study consists of all 200 level undergraduate students from the faculty of Education in the University of Benin., The simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the students, so that every respondent is given an equal chance of being selected. The sample of the study consists of 100 respondents from 5 departments in the faculty of Education. A total number of 20 samples was gotten from each department. The instrument for the study was the questionnaire which was designed based on the research questions raised. The face and content approach was adopted to determine the validity of the instrument and a test-retest method was used to find out the reliability of the research instrument which produced a reliability coefficient of 0.76. In analyzing the data, the researcher made use of descriptive statistics such as: frequency count and simple percentage. Findings from the study revealed that There is a significant negative correlation between academic stress and academic motivation among undergraduate students at the University of Benin. In other words, as academic stress increases, academic motivation tends to decrease. This finding is consistent with existing research in the field, which suggests that high levels of stress can lead to reduced motivation and engagement in academic activities. In the conclusion, The influence of academic stress on the academic motivation of undergraduate students at the University of Benin is substantial. High levels of stress can negatively impact students' motivation, leading to decreased engagement, performance, and overall academic satisfaction. Recognizing and addressing these stressors is crucial for fostering a supportive learning environment that promotes students' well-being and academic success. The following recommendations have been made: Offer workshops and seminars focused on stress management techniques such as mindfulness, time management, and relaxation exercises. These sessions can equip students with practical skills to cope with academic pressure effectively. Strengthen academic support services, including tutoring, mentoring, and counseling, to provide students with personalized assistance in managing coursework, understanding concepts, and navigating challenges.