Emotional Neglect and Students’ Academic Performnce in Secondary Schools in Delta North Senatorial District

This study examined the relationship between emotional neglect and students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Delta North Senatorial District, Delta State. The study was carried out because many students experience poor academic outcomes not only because of weak ability or poor teaching, but also because of limited emotional support, care, encouragement, and attention from parents or significant adults. One research question and one null hypothesis guided the study. A correlational survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 15,257 Senior Secondary School Two students in public secondary schools, while 375 students were selected through multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using the Emotional Neglect and Academic Performance Questionnaire (ENAPQ), while students’ first term 2025/2026 overall scores were used to measure academic performance. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to answer the research question and Linear Regression Analysis were used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed a significant relationship between emotional neglect and students’ academic performance. The study concluded that emotional neglect had a significant relationship with students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Delta North Senatorial District. Emotional support is important for students’ learning, confidence, and academic success. It recommended that parents should guide students when they are faced with psychological and emotional challenges by paying attention to their feelings, provide warmth and support to them and functional counselling units in schools.