Unveiling Psychological Capital, Learner Empowerment, and Academic Achievement among Secondary School Students

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) To determine the degree of empowerment of the learners in the secondary school. 2) To explain the degree of psychological capital (self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience) among high school students. 3) To investigate the degree of academic performance of secondary school students as per their self-reported perceptions. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed. The sample comprised 440 Grade 9 and Grade 10 students from public and private secondary schools in District Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan. Psychological capital, learner empowerment, and self-reported academic performance were measured using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The study provides a baseline snapshot of psychological capital and learner empowerment in the Pakistani secondary school context. However, its descriptive design limits theoretical interpretation and prevents causal inferences.