CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED DUE TO GRIEF AS PERCEIVED BY SELECTED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF GENERAL DE JESUS COLLEGE

Abstract

Grief is a natural response to sudden death and may lead to depression, low self-esteem, and various health issues, including Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). Students experiencing grief may undergo changes in roles, habits, and academic performance. Investigating the effects of grief among students is therefore crucial to understanding its broader impact on their well-being and academic life. This study employed a qualitative and phenomenological approach to investigate the shared experiences and behaviors of senior high school students at General De Jesus College. Participants were selected based on specific criteria, including experiences of grief, the death of a father, religious background, and grief-related challenges. The study aimed to address gaps in previous research by comparing religious perspectives and examining the effects of the sudden death of a father in 2021. Findings revealed that the loss caused significant grief among students, leading to mental health concerns, financial difficulties, and a decline in academic performance. Participants struggled to express their emotions and often concealed their grief to protect their parents. Strengthening faith emerged as the most effective coping mechanism, while focusing on studies helped alleviate emotional pain. The study recommends increasing awareness of the effects of loss, encouraging students to consult professionals for appropriate coping strategies, urging parents to foster open communication, providing teachers with resources to help normalize grief in educational settings, and conducting further qualitative research to gain deeper insights into students’ grief experiences.