The Impacts of Being in a Romantic Relationship on the Academic

Performances of Grade 12 Students of TSAT, S.Y 2021-2022

Guimpatan, Marrero A., Sulang, Russel Kate C.,Wacangan, Debbie S., Yadan, Kenny S., Latap, Kiervin

Tadian School of Arts and Trades, Senior High School

CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION

A. Background or Rationale of the study

During adolescence, the volume of circulating hormones in the body rises dramatically;
caused by the rapid brain and body developments. As a result, temptations of immediate feel-
good experiences are high, such as in romantic and sexual situation (Braams et al., 2015;
Suleiman & Harden, 2016). For this reason, most teenagers enter early romantic relationships.
Romantic relationships are defined as mutually acknowledged on-going voluntary
interactions; in comparison to most other relationships, romantic ones typically have a distinctive
intensity, which is usually marked by expressions of affection and current or anticipated sexual
behavior (Collins, 2003). It can be classified into three groups: a) Dating couples, which
encompasses the courtship period and may range from a first date through several years. b)
Cohabitating couple, which pertains to couples that already move in together. c) Partnered
couples, who take additional steps to verbally, ceremonially, or legally claim their intentions to
be together in a long-term committed relationship (Leonard, 2012). With this in mind, the
researchers will only be referring to “dating couples”.
According to the US-based National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add
Health), in a sample of thousands of school children (Grades 7 to 12), over 80% of aged 14 years
and older were or had been in a romantic relationship (Carver et al., 2003; Grieger et al., 2014).
This means that having a romantic partner in adolescents can be considered as normal, and the
absence of it could make them feel different, which could turn into stress (Scamlan et al., 2012).
Moreover, relationships that were more socially associated, such as family and friends, had a
stronger influence on students than relationships that were more academically associated (Wayt,
2012). It is also reasonable that romantic relationship could have a great effect on the academic
life of adolescents. Accordingly, the researchers want to know if experiencing romantic
relationship could affect students’ performance in school.
There are several studies that correlate romantic relationship and academic performance.
Some studies pointed out the negative and positive effects of romantic relationship on academic
performance; and some pointed out that romantic relationship has no significant effect on the
academic performance of the students.
In the study of McLaughlin (n.d), students that are in a romantic relationship had a
significantly higher grade compared to those who are single. In another situation, the number of
accountancy students having had to repeat a subject decreased significantly after being involved
in a relationship. This also shows that the students involved in a relationship develop proper
attitudes toward studying because of romantic relationship (Mioleta et al., n.d.). In contrast,
students from Babcock University had lower grades in mathematics compared to students that
are single. It was also concluded that dating is the single most common distractor in academic
endeavor of many students (Nwosu, 2017). In the study of Bernales & Colonia (2011), they
found out that males and females that are single had a greater grade average compared to those
males and females that are in a relationship; moreover, they stated that the higher level of
conflict within a relationship resulted in lower grade average. On the studies, they concluded that
romantic relationship has no negative effects on academic performance of students (Huggins,
2015; Pham, 2013)
B. Related Literature
Joshuaelevate,2016 stated that Early Romantic Relationship (Advantages and
Disadvantages) First many teenagers “excel in their class”, because they become motivated to
study hard because of their partner which is considered as a positive result for every students and
teenagers having an early romantic relationship. The second advantage is many teenagers “get
inspired”, because their partners give them an inspiration for so many things. Third advantage is
many are “happy to have a partner”, because their relationship gives joy and happiness. Many for
teenagers looks for a partner that gives then joy and contentment. The fourth one is many
students and teenagers “gain better self-confidence”. Many teenagers having an early romantic
relationship gain self-confidence because when we have a partner we feel safe and secured. Our
partner gives us an assurance that we can do more. Lastly, many teenagers said that “they gain
more friends” because of their partners. Because when we are in a relationship we encounter and
meet our boyfriends or girlfriends friends.
There are more advantages of having an early romantic relationship. These are the
positive results to every teenager who are engaged in romantic relationship. It is to know that
having an early romantic relationship gives them positive result for every aspect of their lives; to
their social and emotional life.
Most teenagers and students answered that one of the disadvantages of having an early
romantic relationship affect their study “they gain lower grades”, because of their boyfriends or
girlfriends. How ironic that many are said that having an early romantic relationship helps then
to excel in class, but it also affect to their study to gain a lower grades. The second disadvantage
for many teenagers is “they learn to keep secrets from their parents”. Engaging in a relationship
helps them to keep secrets, because their parent doesn’t allow them to enter in a relationship so
when someone court them and become officially on it is better for them to keep it as a secret.
Third, teens “tend to be quarrelsome”. Both men and women teenagers become quarrelsome
because of their partners. That is what you called “mind your own and stay away from what is
mine” attitude of a teenagers. Fourth disadvantage is many teens “come home late”. Because
they want to hanging out with their boyfriends and girlfriends, they wanted to spend more time
with their partners companion. Lastly, having an early romantic relationship disadvantage for
teens is “they disregard major priorities”. Teens are easily distracted when it comes to their
partner. They wanted to give enough attention and time to their boyfriends or girlfriends. Reason
why teens forgot to prioritize, focus and manage more important things.
These disadvantages is only few from many disadvantages and negative effects of a
teenagers engaging in an early romantic relationship.
 We cannot say that early romantic relationships are right or wrong. We cannot criticize or
judge teenagers because they enter in a relationship at a very young age. Teenage year now is
very aggressive and willing to take risks.
For teenagers, there is nothing wrong to try and to enter in a romantic relationship. It is
only becomes wrong for how you handle your relationship to someone. Remember that love is a
decision. If you will have it wrong, many people and even you will be affected.
C. Framework of Research

The status of students of Tadian School Effects of having a romantic

of Arts and Trades while studying. relationship to the students while
studying.
 Students with romantic
relationship.
 Students without romantic
relationship.

Profile of the respondents

 Age 16-20
 Male and Female
 Grade 12 student
 Romantic relationship

Time Levels of Levels of

motivation anxiety

Positive
Affects effects Negative
depending on effects
priorities

Performance on complex cognitive task

D. Statement of the Problem or Objectives
When it comes to Senior High School having a romantic relationship is part of it, and as
person, being affected to opposite sex is normal. Having a burden or relationship not only in your
life but also in your time may affect someone’s studies. In nowadays many students are having
romantic relationship while studying, what we want to know how these students able to maintain
their relationship to opposite sex and their performance in their studies.
E. Hypothesis
Having a commitment on relationship while studying may result on students to get
unfocused to their studies on the negative side and on the other way around it may lead to
success having each other as inspiration in struggling and striving for their dreams to come true.
F. Scope and Delimitation of the Study
Our focus is the students here in Tadian School of Arts and Trades. We will survey to
those students who are in a relationship or with past experience. What are the effects either good
or bad? What are better in influencing their partners the guys or the girls?
G. Definition of Terms
 Adolescence – a period or stage of development, as of a society, preceding maturity.
 Commitment – an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.
 Hormones – are chemical messengers released from endocrine glands that influence the
nervous system to regulate the physiology and behavior of individuals.
 Romantic relationships - mutually acknowledged on-going voluntary interactions; in
comparison to most other relationships, romantic ones typically have a distinctive
intensity, which is usually marked by expressions of affection and current or anticipated
sexual behavior
H. Importance or Significance of the Study
There are 3 groups of people that would benefit from this research first are the students
who are in a relationship, especially those who are studying at TSAT because this research will
help them to determine what are the effects of having a romantic relationship to their studies.
Second are the teachers, because they will know what this issue takes a big part or serves as a big
factor that student get low or high grades in school and for them also to be aware and to be open-
minded to this issue. And last, to all the parents because this research also reveals the part of the
students. By this research, parents will know the thoughts of their children getting involved to
this matter and to guide their children in a good and pleasing way.
CHAPTER 2 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

1.Research Design
This research study used quantitative approach in order to answer the main research
questions. Therefore, this paper used questionnaires as the research tool in order to explore and
find out the Grade 12 students perspectives on the effects of having a romantic relationship on
academic performance. With regard to our questionnaire, there were a total of 10 questions
which contain close-ended questions. It is crucial to note that the first part of the questionnaire
asked about the students’ background, which includes their gender and age. The second part of
the questionnaire served as significant indicators for our research study since we explored the
various answers from their perspectives toward the impact of having a romantic relationship on
the academic performance of grade 12 students. In this regard, the closed-ended questions aimed
to focus on collecting quantitative data from the respondents.
2.Locale and Population of the Study
We conducted the study at Tadian School of Arts & Trades, located at Egan, Poblacion,
Tadian, Mountain Province. We chose this particular place because we would want to measure or
study our classmates or schoolmates regarding our topic about the impacts of being in a romantic
relationship on the academic performance of grade 12 students of TSAT, S.Y. 2021-2022 and so
that it would be easier for us to gather information. We chose these specific informants so that it
would be easier for us to identify them and it would save us lot of time to gather information
from them.

3.Data Gathering Tools

We used questionnaires to gather the information we needed on our research study. We

chose questionnaire method because it is what we think would be the best option so that we can
abide with the standard health protocols and avoid being infected by the virus. We used a
Likert’s scale so that our respondent could easily answer our questions by checking the chart
based on their experience. On the validity and reliability of the tool we used we first let a
professional check our tool before conducting the survey. Therefore, the tool we used is valid
and reliable because it was checked and it gives us the data we needed on our research study.

4.Data Gathering Procedures

We first enumerated our questions that will answer our problem then we created a sample
of our questionnaire. After it, we asked the help of a professional to check the sample of our
questionnaire then we produced copies of the questionnaire after it was checked. Then we
conducted a group meeting so that we will distribute the questionnaires to everyone and divided
the locations of our respondents to save time. Then we proceed immediately on the survey. We
firstly asked the consent of the respondents before we would give them the questionnaires so that
we would know if they are willing to answer the questionnaire. Lastly, we again conducted a
group meeting to give the answered questionnaires to the person in charged on treating the data
that we gathered.
5.Treatment of Data