The Effect of Perceived Social Support on Academic Achievement in Health College Students

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the effect of perceived social support level on the academic achievement of health college students. Methods: The research sample consisted of 411 students: 140 nursing students, 157 midwifery students and 114 emergency and disaster management students from a health college of a national university. A questionnaire prepared by the researchers and the Perceived Social Support Scale-R were used for data collection. The questionnaire consisted of 21 questions about the students' socio-demographic characteristics, weighted grade point averages, friendships, and school and family lives. The findings were analyzed using a statistical package program. Results: The students' grade point average were found to be 2.68 (on a scale of 4.00), and their perceived social support point average was found to be 128.64 (on a scale of 150). A weak positive relation was found between the perceived social support levels and academic achievement. The social support levels of the females, the students without psychological problems, the students who are pleased with their place of residence and the students in good economic circumstances were higher. The weighted grade point averages of these groups were higher: nursing students, seniors, vocational health high school graduates, students who graduated from high school with excellent grades, students who perceive themselves as academically successful and students with regular study habits. Conclusion: This study identified the individual, educational and familial factors that affect academic achievement and social support perception and uses them to make recommendations based on them.