Chemistry Education Undergraduate Students’ Mental Health Issues as Correlate to Their Interest in Chemistry Courses in Southeast Universities

Juliana Nkiru Nnoli; Obikezie Maxwell Chukwunazo; Abumchukwu Angela Adanne

doi:10.17977/um084v4i12026p56-64

Authors

Juliana Nkiru Nnoli Department of Science Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Anambra State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2958-0352
Obikezie Maxwell Chukwunazo Department of Science Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Anambra State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9871-1223
Abumchukwu Angela Adanne Department of Science Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Anambra State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17977/um084v4i12026p56-64

Keywords:

mental health, chemistry interest, undergraduate students, correlation study, gender moderation

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between mental health issues and interest in chemistry courses among Chemistry Education undergraduate students in federal universities in Southeast Nigeria (n = 2500). The research was motivated by increasing academic stress, perceived course difficulty, limited coping resources, and the influence of mental health on motivation, arousal, and self-efficacy. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A correlational research design was employed. The sample of 2500 students was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling from the five federal universities in the region. Data were collected using two instruments: the Chemistry Mental Health Inventory (CMHI) and the Chemistry Interest Inventory (CII). Both instruments were validated by three experts—two from Educational Foundations (specialists in Measurement and Evaluation and Educational Psychology) and one from Science Education specializing in Chemistry Education. A trial test was conducted with 50 students in Delta State, yielding reliability coefficients of 0.87 and 0.77 using Cronbach’s alpha. Research questions were analyzed using R and R², while hypotheses were tested using linear regression; Hayes’ Process was applied to examine gender moderation. Findings indicated a low positive relationship between mental health issues and interest in chemistry, with no significant moderating effect of gender. Implications, recommendations, and conclusions were drawn accordingly.

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