High School Students’ Parental Involvement and Academic Performance During the COVID-19 Movement Control Order

Parents and children have been affected by the COVID-19 Movement Control Order (MCO). Parental involvement is often linked to children’s academic performance. This study first examined the link between parental involvement and children’s academic performance during the MCO. Next, it examined the differences in academic performance before and during the MCO. Malaysian secondary school students (N=130, 61.6% female) aged 16-17 (M=16.42, SD=0.4967) responded to questions about their parents’ involvement from before and during the MCO and completed the Inventory of Parental Influence. Exam grades from before and after the MCO were also collected. The results revealed a low to moderate positive correlation (r = 0.291, p<0.05) between parental involvement in three areas (discussions, home care, and communication) and academic performance. During the MCO, students’ perception of parental involvement at home increased, t(129)-5.82, p<.05). However, there was also a significant decrease in students’ academic performance during the MCO when compared to before the MCO, t(123) = 2.058, p<0.05. Implications and future research recommendations are suggested.