Published Article

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the influence of social skills on academic adjustment among secondary school students in Abak Local Government Area. Two specific objectives, two research questions, and two null hypotheses guided the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 2,264 JSII students in 11 public secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area during the 2025/2026 academic session. A sample size of 300 students was selected using multistage sampling procedure involving simple random and proportionate sampling techniques. The instrument used for data collection was a researcher made questionnaire titled Social Skills and Academic Adjustment Questionnaire (SSAAQ). The instrument contained items on communication skills, adaptability skills, and academic adjustment. The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and dependent t test at .05 alpha level. The findings of the study revealed that communication skills had high influence on academic adjustment among secondary school students. The study also found that adaptability skills had high influence on academic adjustment among secondary school students. Based on the findings, it was concluded that communication and adaptability skills are important determinants of academic adjustment among secondary school students. It was recommended among others that teachers should encourage classroom interaction and participation, while school counsellors should organize programmes that develop students’ communication and adaptability skills.