Association between Perceived Family Support and Purpose in Life among Secondary School Students Living within Moshi Municipality in Tanzania
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Date
2017-07
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between perceived family support and
purpose in life among secondary school students living within Moshi Municipality in Tanzania.
This study found that young people with proper perceived family support tend to have a well-defined
purpose in life and this is often associated with higher levels of individual happiness. Correlation
study design was used. The method used was quantitative. Using convenience sampling, four
schools with different socioeconomic statuses were chosen to participate in the study. A sample of
378 students was randomly chosen from these schools. Data was collected using questionnaires
which contained questions relating to demographic data and questions relating to the objectives of
the study. Data for the objectives was collected using a perceived family support scale and a purpose
in life scale. Data was analyzed as descriptive and inferential. Pearson‟s correlation and linear
regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between perceived family support and
purpose in life among the students. The study examined the efficacy of demographic details in
enhancing purpose in life. The influence of demographic variables such as such as age, gender,
family income, education background, religious background, residence and living situation on
purpose in life was measured using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). In general, the results
suggest that while family support perceptions are conceptually increases through the mediators the
more purpose in life increases. The analysis revealed a seemingly strong perceived family support
with more than 96% of the students claiming that their family really tries to help them. Similarly,
more than 90% of the students attested to the fact that their personal existence is purposeful and
meaningful; with 92% of the students stating that they have clear goals and aims in life. The study
revealed that only gender had a significant association with purpose in life (F
=5.77, p<.05).
Female students showed significantly better purpose in life (M=86.2, SD=11.6) than male students
(M=83.6, SD=12.8). Other demographic variables such as age, family status, religious background,
residence and living situation showed insignificant influence on purpose in life. The hypothesis that
there is significant relationship between demographic variables and purpose in life among secondary
school students living in Moshi Municipality is thus partially supported in favour of gender. The
study revealed that the students surveyed had high levels of perceived family support and purpose in
life. Male students had insignificantly higher levels of perceived family support than their
counterpart female students whereas female students have significantly higher level of purpose in
life than male students. The study concludes that there is a significant association between perceived
family support and purpose in life. This means that about 90% of variations/changes in purpose in
life are explained by other factors that were not tested during the current study. The study
recommends that future studies on the association between perceived family support and purpose in
life should include other variables not considered in this study, such as culture and happiness.
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Keywords
Family Support, Life, Secondary School Students