INFLUENCE OF SECRET CULT ON STUDENT'S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG STUDENTS IN IMO STATE UNIVERSITY OF IMO STATE. CERATE A META DESCRIPTION

ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of secret cult membership on the academic performance of undergraduate students in Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Nigeria. The research adopted a Descriptive Survey and Comparative Design to achieve its objectives. A sample of 385 students was utilized, selected through a multi-stage sampling technique across four major faculties. The primary instrument was the Students' Social Deviance and Academic Performance Questionnaire (SSDAPQ), which used proxy indicators and self-reported CGPA ranges to gather sensitive data while ensuring anonymity. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (Mean and Standard Deviation) and the Independent Samples T-test to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that the major factors influencing student involvement are the need for physical security and protection ($\bar{X}=3.55$), peer pressure ($\bar{X}=3.40$), and the desire for power/dominance ($\bar{X}=3.25$). Furthermore, the associated activities exert a serious negative effect on academic commitment, primarily through the loss of study time ($\bar{X}=3.65$) and mental stress ($\bar{X}=3.50$). The hypothesis test was rejected ($t_{cal}=4.88 > t_{crit}=1.966$), concluding that there is a statistically significant difference in the mean academic performance (CGPA) between students with high deviance/cult-inclined behaviors ($\bar{X}=2.50$) and non-members ($\bar{X}=3.25$). The study concludes that secret cultism is a direct threat to academic standards at IMSU and recommends a two-pronged strategy focusing on enhancing campus security and establishing robust peer mentorship and psychological counselling programs. Keywords: Secret Cultism, Academic Performance, Imo State University, CGPA, Social Deviance, Peer Pressure, Campus Security.