A Correlative Study between Depression and Academic Achievement of Students with Physical Challenges Studying through Non-Formal System of Education
Abstract
Depression known as mood disorder is a low mood state that presents at a sustained level and confines activities of a person in daily routine. It can affect thoughts, behaviors, feelings of physical well-being, social, occupational, achievements as well as personal and interpersonal skills etc. Being one of the common ailments, persons with physical challenges may also fall a victim to it and thus affect their crucial elements of life as mentioned. The primary objective of this study was to find a relationship that may exist in depression and academic achievement in students studying through non-formal system of education, i.e. distance education. The current study had a descriptive design and was correlative in nature. Students with physical challenges studying through non-formal education comprised the population. The sample of the study subsumed 100 students randomly selected and was later subjected to further testing for depression. The tool of the study comprised a purpose built inventory for measuring depression that was validated and checked for reliability beforehand. The findings of the study revealed that there is negative correlation between depression and academic achievement of depressed physically challenged students studying through non-formal educational system. Recommendations included an engagement of students with physical challenges in a more formal and traditional approach of education, formal assessment at the time of registration in order to identify individual needs, capitalizing human interaction through group activities, use of educational technology, counseling and other extracurricular opportunities leading to participatory and shared experience among students.
Keywords: Depression, Physical Disabilities, Academic Achievement
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