Thesis Title: Predictors of School Leaving Intensions
Author Name: Arooba Nasar
Supervisor: Saima Ghazal
Year: 2017
Degree: MSC
Department: Institute of Applied Psychology
University: Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
Abstract
A correlational study was conducted to investigate the intentions and actions leading towards school leaving among 5th, 8th and 10th grade students in government schools. By employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) from social psychology, it was hypothesized that intentions to complete the school are predicted by the attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control (Davis et al., 2002). The sample consisted of students (n = 150) selected from four different government schools using non-probability convenient sampling technique. The age range of the student was 10 years to 16 years. Demographic information sheet consisted of various factors including age, gender, family income and parental education, family system, and academic history. TPB self-developed questionnaire was used to assess school leaving intensions. Correlational analysis revealed significant relationship between all the sub-scales of the theory of planned behavior. Regression analysis showed that behavioral outcome and control belief were found to be significant predictors of school leaving intensions. This study will help in development of effective policies to improve school progression and reduce the numbers of children leaving the school.
Keywords:
Early school-leaving, economic deprivation, theory of planned behavior, educational support
