Junior High School Stressors and Coping Mechanisms: Basis for Orientation and Development Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Stress is a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems. It is a common aspect of many different emotions like anxiety, frustration, anger, worry, fear, sadness, and despair (Myers, 2015). Stressors, as defined by Alvor (2011), would be the problems that constitute stress. In the academe, it is commonly observed as one of the reasons in a high rate of dropping out. Thus, students experience problems and encounter STRESSORS.

METHODS

The study is basic research utilizing the qualitative approach. The interview was made to find out their stressors. Moreover, they were also asked how they respond in order to handle these situations. Open coding was made to identify the themes in the study. Intercoder reliability was made to assure validity.

RESULTS

It was found that the stressors of Grade 7 have something to do with the school, their home, and the people around them. Furthermore, these could be categorized into three: physical, which includes the environment like the subject areas, behavioral, which highlights the different behavioral attitude, and lastly emotional, which includes the emotional pressure caused by teachers and students. More so, the study shows that the common coping mechanisms of students are sharing their problems with peers.

DISCUSSIONS

The study only used Grade 7 students as a source of data. In addition, those under the highest potential of dropping out were chosen. The result implies that there might be underlying reasons for students' absenteeism and the way they behave might have some implications for their coping mechanisms.