Home⇛Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal⇛vol. 47 no. 10 (2025)

Family Structure and Its Influence on Students' Well-Being and Decision-Making Skills

Chester Luciano

Discipline: others in psychology

 

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the impact of family structure on the well-being and decision-making skills of 314 senior high school students from six secondary schools in Zamboanga City. Using a descriptive quantitative research design, results showed that most respondents were aged 18–20, female, Zamboangueño, from nuclear families, with low family income and rural backgrounds. Respondents rated their well-being—physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual—as "agree." In contrast, decision-making skills were rated as "strongly agree" for career decisions and "agree" for personal and relationship decisions. Findings revealed no significant influence of family structure on students' well-being and decision-making skills, except when grouped by sex. The study recommends enhanced support from the Department of Education (DepEd), school administrators, and teachers through capacity-building programs, career guidance, and value formation. Teachers are encouraged to provide instruction that fosters holistic development, while families should continue providing financial, emotional, and moral support. Future researchers may replicate the study in different contexts or locations.



References:

  1. Applebury, G. (2021). Definition of a nuclear family: Understanding its characteristics. LoveToKnow. https://family.lovetoknow.com/about-family-values/definition-nuclear-family
  2. Bieri, C., Berweger, S., Keck Frei, A., & Kappler, C. (2014). Majoring in STEM: What accounts for women's career decision making? A mixed method study. The Journal of Educational Research, 107(3), 167–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2013.788989
  3. Brown, S. L. (2010). Marriage and child well-being: Research and policy perspectives. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(5), 1059–1077. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00750.x
  4. Canetto, S. S. (2006). What is a normal family? Common assumptions and current evidence. Journal of Primary Prevention, 17(1), 31–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02262792
  5. Capio, C. M., Sit, C. H. P., & Abernethy, B. (2014). Physical well-being. In A. C. Michalos (Ed.), Encyclopedia of quality of life and well-being research (pp. 4775–4779). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_2165
  6. Colakkadioglu, O., & Gucray, S. (2012). The effect of conflict theory-based decision-making skill training psycho-educational group experience on decision-making styles of adolescents. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 12(2), 655–676.
  7. Department of Education. (2019). DepEd Order No. 21, s. 2019: Policy guidelines on the K to 12 Basic Education Program. https://www.deped.gov.ph
  8. Dubow, E. F., Boxer, P., & Huesmann, L. R. (2009). Long-term effects of parents' education on children's educational and occupational success. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 55(3), 224–249. https://doi.org/10.1353/mpq.0.0030
  9. Fizer, D. (2013). Factors affecting career choices of college students in Tennessee (Master's thesis, University of Tennessee). University of Tennessee Repository.
  10. Freeman, V., Lenz, J., & Reardon, R. (2014). Career course impact on college students' career decision and affective stage. The Career Development Quarterly, 62(4), 292–305. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.2014.00084.x
  11. Gati, I., & Saka, N. (2001). High school students' career-related decision-making difficulties. Journal of Counseling & Development, 79(3), 331–340. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2001.tb01978.x
  12. Gerber, M., & Pühse, U. (2009). Review article: Do exercise and fitness protect against stress-induced health complaints? A review of the literature. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 37(8), 801–819. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494809350522
  13. Howard, K. A., & Walsh, M. E. (2011). Children's conceptions of career choice and attainment: Model development. Journal of Career Development, 38(3), 256–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845310365851
  14. James, C., & James, L. (2011). Constructing and reconstructing childhood: Contemporary issues in the sociological study of childhood (3rd ed.). Routledge.
  15. James, A., & James, A. (2011). Key concepts in childhood studies (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
  16. Josephs, R. A., Larrick, R., Steele, C. M., & Nisbett, R. M. (1992). Self-esteem and risk aversion in decision making. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62(1), 26–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.62.1.26
  17. Kunnen, E. S. (2013). The effects of career choice guidance on identity development. Education Research International, 2013, 901718. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/901718
  18. Madumere, S. C. (2002). Spatial distribution and locational planning of secondary education reform in Imo State of Nigeria 1980–1990 (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Ibadan.
  19. Magnuson, K., & Berger, L. M. (2009). Family structure states and transitions: Associations with children's well-being during middle childhood. Journal of Marriage and Family, 71(3), 575–591. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2009.00620.x
  20. National Statistics Office. (Unpublished). [Unpublished Ph.D. thesis]. University of Ibadan.
  21. Ogunsaju, S. (2004). Secondary school plant planning in Nigeria: Strategies for future development. In S. Adesina & S. Ogunsaju (Eds.), Secondary education in Nigeria (pp. 244–261). University of Ife Press.
  22. Polat, H. (2019). The decision-making skills of children as evaluated by their parents. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 5(1), 57–69. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.5.1.57
  23. Porfeli, E. J., & Lee, B. (2012). Career development during childhood and adolescence. New Directions for Youth Development, 134, 11–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20011
  24. Quirk, R. (2008). Longman dictionary of contemporary English (5th ed.). Pearson Education.
  25. Ribisi, K. M., Winkleby, M. A., Fortmann, S. P., & Flora, J. A. (1998). The interplay of socioeconomic status and ethnicity on Hispanic and white men's cardiovascular disease risk and health communication patterns. Health Education Research, 13(3), 407–417. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/13.3.407
  26. Ruegsegger, G. N., & Booth, F. W. (2018). Health benefits of exercise. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 8(7), a029694. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a029694
  27. Ruggeri, K., Garcia-Garzon, E., Maguire, Á., Matz, S., & Huppert, F. A. (2020). Well-being is more than happiness and life satisfaction: A multidimensional analysis of 21 countries. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 18, 192. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01423-y
  28. Ruggeri, K., Garcia-Garzon, E., Maguire, Á., et al. (2020). Well-being is more than happiness and life satisfaction: A multidimensional analysis of 21 countries. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 18, 192. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01423-y
  29. Stewart-Brown, S. (1998). Emotional well-being and its relation to health: Physical disease may well result from emotional distress. BMJ, 317(7173), 1608–1609. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.317.7173.1608
  30. The Family Code of the Philippines, Executive Order No. 209 (1987).
  31. Xing, J., & Huang, S. (2014). Relationship between age and well-being in selected Chinese universities. Asian Social Science, 10(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v10n2p1

Tools


Copyright © 2026  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic