“Parents Separation, Motivation to Learn, and Self Efficacy among Muslim
Elementary Pupils in Southern Davao”
A Thesis Presented to the
College of Education and Liberal Arts
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of Bachelor of Elementary Education
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
Title Page
Approval Sheet
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
Abstract
Chapter 1: PROBLEM AND SETTINGS
Background of the Study 4-5
Statement of the Problem 5-6
Null Hypothesis 6
Review of Related Literature 7-10
Theoretical Framework 11
Conceptual Framework 11
Scope and Limitation of the Study 12
Significance of the Study 12-13
Definition of Terms 14
Chapter 2: METHODS
Research Design 15
Research Locale 16
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Research Respondents 17
Research Instruments 18-21
Data Gathering Procedure 21
Data Analysis Tools 22-23
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Parental separation has been associated with reduced cognitive development and
educational performance. Since parental separation can result in multiple negative effects,
including perceived guilt, blame, stressors, and diminished resources for the children, it is
not surprising that parental separation has also been reported to negatively affect a child’s
motivation, engagement, and learning-related behavior in the classroom.
Although several studies have investigated the impact of the timing of the parental
separation on scholastic performance, they have yielded discordant results. Most studies
found that for younger children (i.e. those in elementary school) the adverse impact was
more pronounced than for older children (i.e. those in high school), suggesting that
younger children may feel more anxious about abandonment and that they may be more
likely to blame themselves. However, others studies have found that divorce may
adversely affect adolescents more than elementary school-age children, or that the child’s
age did not alter the effect of divorce on academic achievement. Lastly, very few studies
have focused on the effect of parental separation on very young children.
In Ireland the number of separated couples is increasing, and public concern is
growing about the consequences for children who experience this kind of change in their
family life. The present study explores the experience of parental separation for children
aged 8-17. The aim of the study was to describe how parental separation affects
children’s lives, from their own perspectives, including their views and feelings about the
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changes that occur in their everyday lives, such as at school, at home, and in their
relationships with parents and other family members. Another aim was to discover what
sort of support children experienced and needed, and the strategies they used to cope with
the changes in their family life.
In the Philippine, a relationship between attachment to parents and self-efficacy
lies at the heart of the study. Non-repeater 4th year high school students are excluded
from the study. Parental attachment is defined in this study as the relationship between
the parent and the child, whereas self-efficacy is defined as a person's perceived capacity
to complete a certain activity. The IPPA (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment) was
used to assess 4th year students' parental attachment, which included certain
characteristics such as trust, communication, and alienation; however, the study only
employed the Parentscale. The researchers employed the GSA, or General Self-efficacy
Scale, to assess self-efficacy. The study is confined to 50 Prince Aries Christian School
4th year high school students. The study's findings revealed that there is no link between
parental connection and self-efficacy among the 50 fourth-year high school students.
Students in fourth year high school have a high level of self-efficacy, which indicates
they work hard for any given task.
In Davao Region, there is no study conducted yet about Parents Separation,
Motivation to Learn, and Self Efficacy.
Statement of the Problem
The issue of parental separation is an increasing social problem that has become a
topic for discussion in recent times; it is traumatic for those who experience it. Children
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need a secure emotional base after their parents separate, exactly as they needed before
(McIntosh, 2005). The major protective factors that facilitate children’s adjustment to
separate are low inter-parental conflict, effective and constructive resolution of conflict
between the parents, the quality of the parent-child relationship, nurturing, authoritative
parenting from at least one parents, and cooperative co-parenting with good
communication (McIntosh, 2003).
Due to parent separation, living with or without his father or mother will instill
lack of motivation to learn and low esteem in the child. This study compares the
relationship between the parent separation to level of learning motivation and self -
efficacy of pupils.
Generally, the main objective of this study is to determine the relationship
between parent separation to level of motivation to learn and self – efficacy of pupils of
Muslim Elementary Pupils in Southern Davao. Specifically, it aims to answer the
following questions:
1. What is the level of learning motivation among Muslim elementary pupils?
2. What is the level of self-efficacy of Muslim elementary pupils?
Null Hypothesis
Ho; there is significant relationship between parental separation to levels of
motivation in learning and self-efficacy of Muslim Elementary pupils.
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Review of Related Literature
According to Nwachi (2000), "the family is a social group characterized by shared
residence, economic cooperation, and production." It includes at least two adults of both
sexes who have a socially accepted relationship with one or more children or adopted
children of sexually cohabiting adults. During the formative years of a child, the family
has recognized functions such as procreation, education, and socialization. The family is
responsible for providing the care, protection, and education that serves as the foundation
for all other environmental influences such as the school peer group, church, and the
entire community.
According to Omoruyi (2014), family is the child's first point of contact with the
outside world. As a result, the child receives early education and socialization from his or
her parents and other significant family members. The family provides the psychological,
moral, and spiritual foundation for the child's overall development. Family/homes are
either broken or intact structurally. In this context, a broken home is one that is not
structurally intact as a result of divorce, separation, the death of one of the parents, or
illegitimacy. Children's illegitimacy, the label of adopted child, broken homes, divorce,
and parental deprivation all contribute to psychological home conditions.
Kelly (2004) concluded that divorce may have a more severe and long-lasting
effect on sons (males) than on daughters (female). According to Wallerain and Kelly
(2004), the absence of father is often viewed as partially harmful to self-esteem. Looking
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at the above critically, one can conclude that a child who lacks self-esteem will not be
able to perform well in his academic work and thus will not perform well in school.
According to Burdon (1991), "such children without proper training due to
breakage of their families or marriage are trained at the mercy of other people, turn out to
be truants." It is clear from this assertion that surrogate mothers cannot monitor the
educational progress of children entrusted to their care. They are unable to assist in home
education because many are uneducated.
According to Green (2015), a broken family can have a negative impact on all
aspects of your child's development. The effects of a broken family on a child's
development are determined by a variety of factors, including the child's age at the time
of the parents' separation, as well as the child's personality and family relationships.
Although infants and young children may have few negative developmental effects, older
children and teenagers may have some difficulties with their social, emotional, and
educational functioning.
According to Crisostomo (2012), Romeo Enriquez, president of the PPA
(Philippine Psychiatric Association), stated that having a dysfunctional family is a
common problem that Filipinos face today. There are many issues that we face, such as
work, stress, and relationships, but the family is the most difficult issue that a Filipino
will face. Every year, an increasing number of Filipinos seek medical attention, and more
cases of mental illness are reported among Filipinos. Treatment for these conditions is
prohibitively expensive, and as a result, not everyone receives adequate medication.
According to Eszewu (1990), "the family has the potential of exerting a strong
influence over the child's life in school and long after he has left school." He goes on to
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say that the nature of the family into which the child is born may have a significant
impact on the child's mental and emotional development, both of which are important
factors in school education. A child who is raised in a stable home, is well fed, and is
given everything he needs will undoubtedly perform well in school. The type of
influences and level of educational attainment of children raised in various homes are
determined by the family's status.
According to Schultz (2016), "children living with their own married parents do
significantly better than other children when it comes to educational achievement."
Agulana (2000) stated that the family lays the psychological, moral, and spiritual
foundation in the overall development of the child. Family/homes are either broken or
intact structurally. In this context, a broken home is one that is not structurally intact as a
result of divorce, separation, the death of one of the parents, or illegitimacy.
According to Harmer (2007), motivation is a type of internal drive that
encourages people to do things in order to attain a goal. Purwanto (2011), defines
motivation as "everything that drives a person to act to do something" (Purwanto, 2011).
Motivation, according to Dimyati and Mudjiono (1994:75), is a mental encouragement
that moves and directs human conduct. While according to Brown (2207), motivation,
like self-esteem, can be global, situational, or task centered. Motivation is also common
in terms of the learner's intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.
According to Bandura (1997) defined self-efficacy as self-perceptions or beliefs
about one's ability to learn or complete tasks at a certain level of difficulty levels. The
other authors have all sought to define self-efficacy, but they all paraphrase to refer to
Bandura’s definition. McCombs (2001) cites Bandura (1991), clarifying self-efficacy
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judgements in light of the learner's assessment of his or her ability to complete a task
successfully. Self-efficacy is a concept in Bandura's theory of human functioning,
according to Schunk (2001), and it is defined as "beliefs about one's capacities to learn or
perform actions at designated levels." Self-efficacy, according to Pintrich and Schunk
(1996), is defined as "people's judgments of their abilities to organize and execute
courses of action required to achieve designated types of performances."
Bandura was a pioneer in the field of self-efficacy research. Self-efficacy, he
defined, is a set of beliefs about how to motivate oneself. Self-efficacy is also thought to
be the foundation and framework for human motivation, achievement, and well-being.
(2002, Pajares). However, according to Pajares (2006), self-efficacy is not just about
learning to succeed; it is also about the ability to complete a task despite recurrent failure.
According to Bandura (1996), academic self-efficacy has been shown to increase
academic accomplishment both directly and indirectly by enhancing academic goals and
prosocial conduct. The concept of self-efficacy has also been shown to be a stronger
predictor of actual behavior, according to the report. Valentine et al., Multon, Brown &
Lent (1991), and Bandura (1986, 1997) (2004).
Since Bandura (1977) first proposed the concept of self-efficacy, he has claimed
that low self-efficacy is linked to low self-esteem, whereas Heslin and Klehe (2006) have
claimed that self-efficacy is linked to stress and work [Link] (1997) proposed
that people with high self-esteem should have high self-efficacy because they take on
more challenging tasks than those with low self-esteem.
Self-efficacy is described by Bandura (1997) and Omrod (2006) as a personal
conflict and personal perceived capability to complete a certain job in order to obtain the
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intended results. Family, seen as an initial source of self-efficacy, can expand via
experiences by role-modeling and observation of parents, siblings, and peers, according
to Social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986). Attachment theory, on the other hand,
emphasizes the importance of the parent-child interaction during adolescence.
Theoretical Framework
Cognitivism has been viewed as a reaction to behaviorists' "rigid" reliance on
predictable stimulus and response (Harasim, 2012, p. 58). Cognitive theorists supported
the idea that the mind plays a major part in learning, focusing on the period of time
between the appearance of an external stimulus and the student's reaction. They
recognized mental processes like motivation and imagination as key components of
learning that connect environmental cues to student responses.
Conceptual Framework
This page comprises of how the two variables are connected to each other or have
its relationship with one another.
Separation of Parents Motivation to learn and self-
efficacy
Parental Involvement
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Fig. 1 Conceptualized correlation of the variable
This study consists of two variables. The independent variable is the Separation of
parents. Meanwhile, the dependent variable is the Motivation to learn and Self-efficacy.
Parental involvement is the moderator in relation between Separation of parents,
Motivation to learn, and Self-efficacy.
Scope and Limitation
This study focused on the Parent’s separation, Motivation to learn, and Self-
efficacy among Muslim elementary pupils in Southern Davao.
This study also seeks to identify the factors of Parent’s separation, Motivation to
learn, and Self-Efficacy among Muslim elementary pupils in Southern Davao. The
researchers focused only to the pupils in Southern Davao were in Sirawan Toril Davao
City and Inawayan Beach Sta. Cruz Davao Del Sur. In line with this, we choose this kind
of places where we are going to conduct our survey because it is more convenient and
mostly people living in these places are Muslim people.
Significance of the Study
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The study about on Parent’s separation, Motivation to learn, and Self-efficacy
Among Muslim Elementary pupils in Southern Davao. This provide an awareness on
dwelling their situation and also to identify the factors of Parent’s separation, Motivation
to learn, and self-efficacy among Muslim elementary pupils. Through this study, the
future researchers can benefit as they will get information about the importance of
anxiety problems of Muslim Elementary pupils. Also, they can use it as a research basis
of another existing research. The following are the beneficiaries of this research:
School- School administrators will benefit to this study in such ways that they
will be mindful on how Parent’s separation among Muslim elementary pupils could affect
their motivation to learn and self-efficacy. Moreover, they can provide support and assist
the learners if needed.
Teachers. They will benefit this study in a way that it will help them to know
how Parents separation might affect their learner’s motivation to learn and self-efficacy
as well as they will be able to adjust and help them by guiding and manage the learner.
Students. This study will give knowledge and understanding among the students
about Parent’s separation and how they can cope up with this problem.
Parents. This study will provide relevant information that will benefit the parents
in a way that they will be able to know how Parent’s separation really could affect their
child motivation to learn and self-efficacy.
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Definition of Terms
Parental Separation - parents not living together under the same roof, it should
be noted that our analyses included only non-separated and separated parents, meaning
children who only saw one parent or were living in blended families falling under the
second category.
Motivation- is a condition that activates and sustains behavior toward a goal.
Learners tend to persist in learning when they face a manageable challenge (neither too
easy nor too frustrating) and when they see the value and utility of what they are learning.
Self-Efficacy- refers to an individual's belief in his or her capacity to execute
behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments.
Family- a group of one or more parents and their children living together as a
unit.
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CHAPTER 2
METHODS
This chapter presents the methodology of the research. This includes the
discussions of research design, research locale, research locale, research respondents,
research instruments, data gathering procedure and data analysis tools.
Research Design
This study will use descriptive research design. According to Gay (1992: 217),
descriptive research involves collecting data in order to test hypotheses or to answer
questions concerning the current status of the subject of the study. Descriptive research is
scientific research that describes about event, phenomena or fact systematically dealing
with certain area or population. This method will be utilized in the study through
conducting a survey where both interview and distribution of survey questionnaires to the
respondents to collect series of information about Parent’s separation, Motivation to
learn, and self-efficacy Among Muslim Elementary Pupils in Southern Davao. This
research design provide basis for decision making and contribute in the establishment of
standard norms of conduct, behavior, or performance. This design is being used by the
researcher to gather information about present existing condition.
Research Locale
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The study will be conducted at Sirawan, Toril Davao City and Inawayan beach
Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur in Region XI of the Philippines. The researchers have chosen
these places for conducting this study because of these reasons: Mostly, people living in
these places are Muslim people. Second, the place located at a very practical location for
the researchers; third, is the fact that the public elementary school has a booming
population. This study will be conducted in Sirawan, Toril Davao City and Inawayan
beach Santa Cruz. The course of this study started at the early November 2021, and will
end on January of 2021. The survey will start on _____ and is expected to end on ____.
Fig. 2 Map of Davao City and Davao del Sur, Philippines highlighting Sirawan Toril
District and Inawayan Santa Cruz.
Respondents of the Study
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The researchers selected the Muslim elementary pupils of Sirawan Toril, Davao
City and Inawayan beach Santa. Cruz, Davao del Sur to be the respondents of the study.
Researchers came up with 60 Muslim elementary pupils as respondents from grade 4-6
both male and female. The personal information of those who took part in the survey was
kept strictly protected.
Sampling Technique
A simple random sampling procedure was used to cull a smaller sample size from
a larger population of respondents. This technique was employed to ensure a fairly equal
representation of the variables of the study. The advantages of a simple random sample
include its ease of use and its accurate representation of the larger population (Greg
Depersio 2018). This technique is useful to select the percentage of the respondents
without any biases to come up the exact number of respondents by getting the fifty
percent of each grade level of Muslim elementary pupils of Sirawan Toril Davao City and
Inawayan beach Santa Cruz Davao del Sur. From grade 4-6 Muslim elementary pupils.
Sample List of Respondents Final Respondents
Grade 4 15
Grade 5 15
Grade 6 15
Research Instrument
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The research instrument is Survey Questionnaire. The Survey Questionnaire
contains of questions related to perceived anxiety and perception of quality time with
parents. The second part contained the perception of how separation of parents can affect
the child’s behavior. Third, and final part of the questionnaire contains the problems
encountered in coping mechanism of Muslim elementary pupils which measures into:
strongly agree (5), agree (4), neutral (3), disagree (2), and strongly disagree (1). To
interpret the level of the child’ behavior regarding to perceived anxiety and perception of
quality time with parents.
Questions on Motivation to learn
Questions SA A N D SD
1. Students perform well in school
because they live with their
parents.
2. Students cannot pay their tuition
fees because their parents has
separated.
3. Students perform well
academically because they live
with their father and not my
mother.
4. Students does not perform well
in school because they stayed
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with their mother and there is no
bother about their education.
5. Children from separated home
don’t take their three square
meal in a day
6. Cannot comprehend well in
school because they don’t take
their breakfast before going to
school.
7. Children from separated home
don’t always punctual in school.
8. Children from separated home
don’t pay their school fees
regularly.
9. Students feel happy and
motivated when their parents
discuss their academic career
with them
10. Children perform well
academically when their parents
cater for their basic need on time
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needed.
Questions on Self-efficacy
Questions SA A N D SD
1. When a task sounds very hard, I
tell myself that I can do hard
things.
2. I feel discouraged when I’m told
I did something incorrectly.
3. I see making mistakes as a
normal part of learning.
4. I want to quit when I’m told I
did something incorrectly.
5. When I receive feedback that I
didn’t do well on something, I
try even harder to learn it.
6. I have negative thoughts about
myself when I make mistakes.
7. When I'm struggling to
accomplish something difficult, I
focus on my progress.
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8. Sometimes I give up when I’m
afraid I can’t do something.
9. When I hear about how others
overcame difficulties, I feel like
I can succeed too.
10. When given a choice, I usually
take the easiest option.
Data Gathering Procedure
Data gathering was guided by the following procedures in order to ensure system
and order:
1. The researchers will ask permission to the parents of the child before conducting the
survey.
2. After asking the parents’ permission, the researchers will start to distribute the survey
questionnaires to 50 respondents.
3. The answered survey questionnaires will be collected one day after the distribution of
the questionnaires.
4. The gathered data will be tallied by the researchers to come up with findings and
interpretation of the data.
Data Gathering Technique
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This study will use a survey questionnaire to gather the data. This technique suits
on this study since it is not time consuming, cheap, and easy to answer than other
methods.
Data Analysis Tool
The gathered data were analyzed using the following statistical tools:
Mean. This statistical tool was used to describe the perceived anxiety of Muslim
elementary pupils and quality time with parents of Sirawan Toril Davao City and
Inawayan Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Pearson r. This study was used in determining the relationship between Perceived
anxiety among Muslim elementary pupils and the Perception of quality time with parents
in Sirawan Toril Davao City and Inawayan Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Statistical Treatment
The gathered data were analyzed by using the statistical tool needed in order to know
the relationship of the two variables in the study. The statistical tool that the researchers
used to interpret the problems was the Mean. By using this formula, researchers will
determine the average score. So, this can help the researchers to analyze the gathered data
from their surveys.
FORMULAS
Xi
μ = (∑ ( ¿ )¿ <= MEAN
N
x
x 100= p <= PERCENTAGE
n
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