View in EDS

Examining How Students' Social Networks and Relationships at School and Home Affect Academic Performance: The Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Mangochi, Malawi

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Examining How Students' Social Networks and Relationships at School and Home Affect Academic Performance: The Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Mangochi, Malawi
Language: English
Authors: Bester Dinga, Kettie Chipeta, Judith Mtalimanja, Iman Salimu, John William Phiri, Mariseni Mwale
Source: African Educational Research Journal. 2026 14(1):55-62.
Availability: Net Journals. 25 Akintola Road, Sapele, Delta State, 331107, Nigeria. e-mail: service@netjournals.org; Web site: https://www.netjournals.org/aer_index.html
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Secondary School Students, Social Networks, Peer Relationship, Family Relationship, Teacher Student Relationship, Academic Achievement, Peer Influence, Parent Participation, Educational Environment, Interpersonal Communication
Geographic Terms: Malawi
ISSN: 2354-2160
Abstract: This study investigated the influence of social networks and relationships on academic performance among students in two secondary schools in Mangochi. We used mixed methods, applying both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The findings indicated factors as low peer study habits, poor family involvement and lack of teacher-student relationships as impeding academic performance. A significant number of respondents (50%) reported that their friends discouraged them regarding academic efforts, highlighting a lack of supportive peer dynamics. Family engagement was also limited, as 58.3% of respondents stated that their parents rarely checked their academic progress, underscoring the importance of family support in students' educational journeys. Teacher-student relationships emerged as a critical factor, with many students feeling unsupported and perceiving their teachers as somewhat unapproachable. Only 41.7% of respondents reported receiving adequate academic guidance outside of class. The study highlighted the need for improved communication among peers, families, and educators to foster a supportive learning environment. The findings suggested several practical interventions, including enhancing peer collaboration programs, increasing parental involvement, and improving teacher training to promote approachability. The research emphasized the necessity for educational stakeholders to address issues of peer influence, family support, and teacher engagement to cultivate an environment conducive to academic success.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502620
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1502620
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1502620
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Examining How Students' Social Networks and Relationships at School and Home Affect Academic Performance: The Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Mangochi, Malawi
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bester+Dinga%22">Bester Dinga</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kettie+Chipeta%22">Kettie Chipeta</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Judith+Mtalimanja%22">Judith Mtalimanja</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Iman+Salimu%22">Iman Salimu</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22John+William+Phiri%22">John William Phiri</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mariseni+Mwale%22">Mariseni Mwale</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22African+Educational+Research+Journal%22"><i>African Educational Research Journal</i></searchLink>. 2026 14(1):55-62.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Net Journals. 25 Akintola Road, Sapele, Delta State, 331107, Nigeria. e-mail: service@netjournals.org; Web site: https://www.netjournals.org/aer_index.html
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 8
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Networks%22">Social Networks</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Relationship%22">Peer Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Family+Relationship%22">Family Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Student+Relationship%22">Teacher Student Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Influence%22">Peer Influence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parent+Participation%22">Parent Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Environment%22">Educational Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Communication%22">Interpersonal Communication</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Malawi%22">Malawi</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2354-2160
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study investigated the influence of social networks and relationships on academic performance among students in two secondary schools in Mangochi. We used mixed methods, applying both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The findings indicated factors as low peer study habits, poor family involvement and lack of teacher-student relationships as impeding academic performance. A significant number of respondents (50%) reported that their friends discouraged them regarding academic efforts, highlighting a lack of supportive peer dynamics. Family engagement was also limited, as 58.3% of respondents stated that their parents rarely checked their academic progress, underscoring the importance of family support in students' educational journeys. Teacher-student relationships emerged as a critical factor, with many students feeling unsupported and perceiving their teachers as somewhat unapproachable. Only 41.7% of respondents reported receiving adequate academic guidance outside of class. The study highlighted the need for improved communication among peers, families, and educators to foster a supportive learning environment. The findings suggested several practical interventions, including enhancing peer collaboration programs, increasing parental involvement, and improving teacher training to promote approachability. The research emphasized the necessity for educational stakeholders to address issues of peer influence, family support, and teacher engagement to cultivate an environment conducive to academic success.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1502620
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1502620
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 8
        StartPage: 55
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Networks
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Peer Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Family Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Student Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Peer Influence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Parent Participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Malawi
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Examining How Students' Social Networks and Relationships at School and Home Affect Academic Performance: The Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Mangochi, Malawi
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Bester Dinga
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Kettie Chipeta
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Judith Mtalimanja
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Iman Salimu
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: John William Phiri
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Mariseni Mwale
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 2354-2160
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 14
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: African Educational Research Journal
              Type: main
ResultId 1