Academic Achievements of Adolescents and Family Functioning

Ledia Kashahu,Theodhori Karaj,Stela Karaj

doi:10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p157

Ledia Kashahu, Theodhori Karaj + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p157

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Abstract

This study is focused on academic achievement of adolescents and their relationship with family functioning. The study aims to reveal through several research methods the functioning of family ties (cohesion and flexibility) and the type of adolescents’ families, their academic achievements, as well as the demographic characteristics of families based on their categorization by type of functioning. To realize the goals of the study were conducted measurements of family functioning in order to determine the type of functioning and through semi-structured interviews and conversations were revealed characteristics of families by type of functioning. The study sample consists of adolescents (N= 32) and their parents (N=27). It was found that the gender of the adolescent, being a resident for the last 15 years in the capital versus new arrivals, education of parents, the density of the apartment and the economic situation have positive correlation with family functioning, which in turn is positively related to family support in the aid in learning and academic achievement of adolescents. The study also found that low levels of family cohesion and family functioning are related mostly with newcome families in the capital these last 15 years. The study found that these families have much more difficulties and challenges to face compared to resident families. The author makes recommendations for further studies on families during the migration processes. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p157

Highlights

Albania is a country that has invested and strived for years to achieve the objectives in all areas of country development in order to join Europe
Families with balanced and medium levels of functioning have children with higher achievement. This means that teenagers who claim that their family has the following characteristics: a) high social and economic status; b) residing in the capital for many decades; c) high educational level of the parents; d) devotion of both parents to family, but in particular fathers’ devotion; e) parents that are very clear in their goals, and balanced concerning the ratio job/family; f) parents good at planning time with family and g) fathers’ commitment in supporting children's learning, have higher achievements and belong to families with balanced functioning
These families are characterized by: a) middle and high socio-economic status; b) resident in the capital for more than 15 years; c) medium to high educational level of the parents; d) mainly reside in their homes and some of the children have personal rooms; of) in general, their children feel supported by family members, and they have academic support as well

Summary

Introduction

Achievements in the field of education are among the most challenging objectives to be realized considering that the country has inherited from the communist past many gaps in terms of educational infrastructure and human resources. Adolescents’ academic achievements are vital for the future of young people because any decision taken by them and their families for further education is based precisely on these results (Kashahu, 2016). According to Hanushek and Woessmann (2012), they have a special importance because based on scientific certificates, they affect the country's economic future. Adolescence is a period where young people need support, especially from their family, which constitutes the most important microenvironment for the adolescent (Bronfenbrenner, 1976)

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