title: The influence of psychosocial factors on academic performance of adolescents: a quality assurance project.
abstract: Adolescence is a time of rapid psychological and physiological changes and is associated with anxiety and mental distress. This project looks at the potential of school-based programs to reduce these negative effects of academic performance in both the short- and long-term. This study was conducted in a private school in Karachi, Pakistan between October 1998 and December 2006 on 305 students with low academic performance. Results show that students scoring low grades had a mean of 55 + 2.8 and postintervention score of 56 + 2.6. The intervention package significantly created a difference in reducing the number of students receiving low grades. Qualitative analysis showed that study participants had enhanced self-esteem, confidence levels, positive attitudes towards learning, improved time management and decision-making skills. This suggests that in an academic institution, the presence of a professional support system enhances learning and coping mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: The Aga Khan University School of Nursing, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saleema A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gulzar
authors.forename: Tazeen Saeed
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aijaz
authors.forename: Neesha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology