The Effect of Parental Support on Academic Performance Among Students at Asia-Pacific International University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of parental support on college students’ academic performance of Asia-Pacific International University (AIU) in Thailand. The research aimed to investigate the relationship between parental support and academic achievement among Thai and International students at AIU in Thailand.   In addition, the study sought to find out the level of parental support among Thai and International students at AIU, and the differences in parental support. Using stratified sampling, ,60 undergraduate students aged between 17 years to 25 years old from five Asia-Pacific International University (AIU) dormitories were selected to participate in this study. A survey instrument for data collection consisted of a demographic questionnaire and a Likert-scale questionnaire.  The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, Version 21.  An independent samples t-test was used to determine the differences between Thai and International students on parental support. Spearman rho correlation coefficients between parental involvement variables and cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) were reported. The findings revealed that academic performance cannot be adequately explained by parental support. Findings of this study also showed that although there is positive influence on the family relationship between the parents and students at the college level, it does not adequately explain academic performance among students. The present study was an attempt to inform college administrators and educators of the importance of parental support at the university level. Therefore, the main recommendation is that,  college administrators should look into how parents support their college students and establish strategies for encouraging emotional and social parental support to children in college...For further research necessary to consider the varying impacts of parental support within the lives of the children, such as investigating the impact of having little or no parental support.