Stress Coping Strategies among Senior High School Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Teen stress levels at present had been higher than adult stress levels during the past ten years. Here in Philippines, studies noted that Filipino students, experience stress due to pressures brought about by personal factors, academic matters, family situations, financial aspects and peers. In Batangas City, students face a number of challenges that may cause them to feel stressed. In some instances, students executed procrastination, which reflect a perennial struggle with self-control, along with an inability to predict how to face the future. These are parts of the major reasons why the researchers wanted to identify the causes of stress experienced by senior high school students in Banaba West National High School; how they can cope with it and what proposed interventions may be extended to assist them with their stress difficulties.

METHODS

Research Design

This study made use of the descriptive quantitative type.

Participants

The current population of senior high school students in Banaba West National High School is ninety-five. From this number, ninety participated in the study.

Instrument

A self-made questionnaire was the main instrument used in the study. Follow-up interviews were likewise conducted to support and clarify the participants' responses to a number of items. Data collected were then tallied, tabulated and analyzed.

RESULTS

Majority of the respondents were female, aged 17 and belonged to intact type of families. From the factors contributory to stress which had been grouped into five, namely: personal, family, emotional, financial and social factors. Results revealed that emotional factors were seen as the major causes of stress, particularly, the item pertaining to the "feeling of being sad due to the burdens they were experiencing”. In terms of coping strategies, most of the student-respondents notedthat they managed the stress difficulties faced through the following: "sharing problems with their friends and guidance counselor”, "finding ways to relax and somehow temporarily forget their problems" and "praying to God for guidance”.

DISCUSSIONS

Results implied that most of the senior high school students feel stressed and as a consequence, they try to use varying strategies to stay well-adjusted in life. It is great to know that friends and counselors can assist in such cases. To alleviate the problems experienced, student-respondents may opt to attend to the proposed interventions presented in the study, develop a strong faith in God and find time to be happy.