The Influence of Grief on Academic Performance & Self-Concept

Grief is psychological and physical pain due to great loss such as death of a loved one. By 2004 Ministry of Health in Kenya reported that 1.6 million children had been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Grief leaves majority of students confused and withdrawn leading to poor academic performance and low self¿concept. Ex- post facto research design sufficed. Population was 672 students. Data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics in form of percentages, frequencies, chi-square and Pearson correlation. Hypotheses were tested at ¿ = 0.05 significance level. Grief had no significant influence on academic performance and self¿concept. Interaction among students helped overcome grief and It was recommended that teachers encourage it to enhance healing of grieving students.