Research Article

Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Chemistry Performance among Secondary School Students in Kaduna State, Nigeria: The Moderating Role of Gender

Patience Guyah1*, Musa Musa Muhammad1, Hafsat Musa2
1 Department of Science Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Department of Science Education, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: patienceguyah@gmail.com
Published: Aug, 2026
Pages: 47–56
Views: 0
Downloads: 0

Abstract

Chemistry is central to scientific and technological development, yet students’ performance in the subject remains a concern in Nigerian secondary schools. This study examined whether self-esteem predicts chemistry performance and whether gender moderates this relationship among Senior Secondary School II (SS II) Chemistry students in Giwa Educational Zone, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A correlational survey design was employed. From a population of 1,390 SS II Chemistry students in 14 public secondary schools, 346 students constituted the analytical sample following purposive and simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a researcher-adapted Chemistry Performance Test. The instruments were validated by experts, while reliability coefficients of .89 for the self-esteem scale and .86 for the Chemistry Performance Test indicated satisfactory reliability. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and moderation regression at α = .05. Self-esteem significantly predicted chemistry performance, B = 0.168, SE = 0.040, t(344) = 4.22, p < .001, R = .42, R² = .18. Gender did not significantly predict performance, B = 1.087, SE = 0.781, p = .165; however, the Self-Esteem × Gender interaction was significant, B = −0.094, SE = 0.038, β = −.128, t = −2.47, p = .014. The findings indicate that self-esteem predicts chemistry performance and that this predictive relationship varies by gender.

Keywords

self-esteem chemistry performance gender academic achievement secondary school students science education moderation

References

  1. Achufusi, N., Okwuchukwu, A. A., & Enebechi, R. I. (2025). Interest and self-esteem as a correlates of secondary school students’ academic achievement in chemistry in Ogidi education zone. UNIZIK Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies, 19(2).
  2. Acosta-Gonzaga, E. (2023). The effects of self-esteem and academic engagement on university students’ performance. Behavioral Sciences, 13(4), 348.
  3. Agboola, O. S. (2025). Science education in Nigeria: The emergence, challenges and expectations. An inaugural lecture delivered at Oduduwa hall, Obafemi Awolowo Unversity, Ille-Ife Nigeria.
  4. Agut, S., Martín-Hernández, P., Soto, G., & Arahuete, L. (2023). Understanding the relationships among self-ascribed gender traits, social desirability, and ambivalent sexism. Current Psychology, 42(29), 25793–25806.
  5. AlHarbi, N. (2022). Self-Esteem: A concept analysis. Nursing science quarterly, 35(3), 327–331.
  6. Aliyu, A. (2024). Effect of Cooperative Learning Strategy on Students' Academic Achievement in Chemistry in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Cross River State, Nigeria (June 22, 2024).
  7. Bai, D., & Liu, X. (2026). Longitudinal associations between physical activity, academic self-efficacy, self-esteem, and depression in Chinese junior high school students. Acta Psychologica, 265, 106688.
  8. Bırni, G., & Eryılmaz, A. (2024). Conceptual and theoretical review of self-worth. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 16(2), 327–346.
  9. Chen, C., Shen, Y., Zhu, Y., Xiao, F., Zhang, J., & Ni, J. (2023). The effect of academic adaptability on learning burnout among college students: The mediating effect of self-esteem and the moderating effect of self-efficacy. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 1615–1629.
  10. Eilks, I., Sjöström, J., & Zuin, V. (2017). The responsibility of chemists for a better world: challenges and potentialities beyond the lab. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Química, 12(1), 97–105.
  11. Ejide, B., & MCA, O. O. (2025). Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement among Public Secondary School Students in Anambra State. International Journal of Innovative Psychology and Social Development, 13(2), 313–321.
  12. Ezeanyagu, N. D., Opara, F. M., & Okafor, T. U. (2023). Motivation and self-esteem as predictors of secondary school students’ achievement in Biology in Awka educational zone of Anambra state. UNIZIK Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies, 16(2), 219–228.
  13. Famolu, F. (2025). Exploring the Correlation Between Self-Esteem and Academic Success Among Special Needs Students in Kwara State, Nigeria. Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling, 10(1), 55–68.
  14. Gidado, B. K., Apeh, H. A., & Akinjobi, F. N. (2025). Relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement of senior secondary school students in North-central, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 51(2), 99–110.
  15. Golizadeh, Z., Mirzaei, L., & Mirzaei, M. (2024). Meta-analysis of the relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement. Educational Psychology, 19(70), 200–226.
  16. Goulas, S., Griselda, S., & Megalokonomou, R. (2024). Comparative advantage and gender gap in STEM. Journal of Human Resources, 59(6), 1937-1980.
  17. Guyah, P., Mari, J.S., & Umahaba, R.E. (2022). Effect of Personalized learning Strategy on Self- Efficacy and Performance in Mole Concept among secondary school students, Zaria Education zonal, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Nigerian Educational Forum, 31(1&2), 107–118
  18. Hagos, T., & Andargie, D. (2022). Gender Differences in Students' Motivation and Conceptual Knowledge in Chemistry Using Technology-Integrated Formative Assessment. Asian Journal of Assessment in Teaching and Learning, 12(1), 10–22.
  19. Ikuejube, B. A. (2024). Assessment of chemistry teachers’ scientific attitudes on the academic performance in chemistry among senior secondary school students in Ondo city. Journal of Education Innovation and Practice, 8(1), 60–67.
  20. Jamiu, M. S. (2025). Relationship among Self Esteem, School Adjustment and Academic Performance of Students in College of Education Ilorin, Kawara State, Nigeria. Journal of Educational Studies Trends and Practice, 8(8), 166–176.
  21. Koki, A. T. A., & Gambo, M. H. (2025). Influence of self-esteem on academic achievement of public senior secondary school students in Potiskum education zone, Yobe state, Nigeria. International Journal of Assessment and Evaluation in Education, 10(8), 1–16.
  22. Kuhn, H., Waldeck, D. H., & Försterling, H. D. (2024). Principles of physical chemistry. John Wiley & Sons.
  23. Longino, H. E. (2020). Science as social knowledge: Values and objectivity in scientific inquiry.
  24. Marti, D. M., & Muhammed, K. (2024). Challenges facing the development of science education in Nigeria and the way forward: A review. Journal of Education Research and Library Practice.
  25. Obikezie, M. C., Nwuba, I. S., & Ibe, F. N. (2023). Influence of school location and gender on generative learning model on secondary school students' academic achievement in chemistry. Eureka: Journal of Educational Research, 2(1), 51–59.
  26. Ogwuegbu, L. C., Molokwu, A. N., Ojokheta, P., Yekinni, L. O., & Oladimeji, O. O. (2026). Self-esteem and parental counselling as predictors of academic achievement among students with hearing impairment in Oyo state. International Journal of Studies in Psychology, 6(2), 52–56.
  27. Ojeleye, C. I., Adegbile, O. N., & Apanpa, T. (2023). Academic resilience and self-esteem as determinant of students’ academic performance in Zamfara State. Milestone: Journal of Strategic Management, 3(2), 68–78.
  28. Oladejo, A. I., Nwaboku, N. C., Okebukola, P. A., & Ademola, I. A. (2023). Gender difference in students’ performance in chemistry–can computer simulation bridge the gap? Research in Science & Technological Education, 41(3), 1031–1050.
  29. Onyi, I. E., Njoku, Z. C., & Nwafor, S. C. (2022). Efficacy of problem-based learning in promoting high achievement of students in chemistry. Journal of critical reviews, 9(01), 49–57.
  30. Orth, U., & Robins, R. W. (2022). Is high self-esteem beneficial? Revisiting a classic question. American Psychologist, 77(1), 5.
  31. Osborne, J. (2023). Science, scientific literacy, and science education. In Handbook of research on science education (pp. 785-816). Routledge.
  32. Poincaré, H. (2022). The Foundations of Science: Science and Hypothesis, The Value of Science, Science and Method: Enriched edition. DigiCat.
  33. Rosenberg, M. (1965). Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE). Acceptance and commitment therapy. Measures Package, 61(52), 18.
  34. Tijani, B. E. (2025). Impact of open inquiry instructional strategy on secondary school students’ academic achievement and conceptual knowledge in Chemistry across genders in Osun state, Nigeria. African Journal of Teacher Education, 14(1), 120–141.
  35. Umahaba, R. E., Gambari, A. I., Thomas, G., & Asaph, R. R. (2026). Effect of process oriented guided inquiry learning strategy on students’ academic performance in organic chemistry in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State Nigeria. Discover Education, 5(1), 370.
  36. van Leest, A., van de Pol, J., van Tartwijk, J., & Hornstra, L. (2024). Inconsistency in student achievement across subject domains: Examination of associations with students’ gender, socioeconomic status, and teachers’ track recommendations. Educational Research and Evaluation, 29(5-6), 274–298.
  37. Voulvoulis, N., & Burgman, M. A. (2019). The contrasting roles of science and technology in environmental challenges. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 49(12), 1079–1106.
  38. Yidana, M. B., & Arthur, F. (2024). Influence of economics students’ self-esteem on their academic engagement: The moderating role of gender. Heliyon, 10(4).
  39. Yu, W., Qian, Y., Abbey, C., Wang, H., Rozelle, S., Stoffel, L. A., & Dai, C. (2022). The role of self-esteem in the academic performance of rural students in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13317.
  40. Zhang, Y., Dong, Q., Xiao, B., Coplan, R. J., Wang, J., & Ding, X. (2025). Relations between dimensions of self-perceptions and academic achievement in Chinese children: A cross-lagged panel analysis. School Psychology, 40(4), 524.
How to Cite

Guyah, P., Muhammad, M. M., & Musa, H. (2026). Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Chemistry Performance among Secondary School Students in Kaduna State, Nigeria: The Moderating Role of Gender. Journal of Studies in Science and Mathematics Education, 6(2), 47–56.

P. Guyah, M. M. Muhammad, and H. Musa, "Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Chemistry Performance among Secondary School Students in Kaduna State, Nigeria: The Moderating Role of Gender," Journal of Studies in Science and Mathematics Education, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 47–56, August 2026.

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF View Full Text (PDF) Back to Articles