Major Sources of Stress among Elected Sangguniang Barangay Officials in Kawit, Cavite: Basis for Stress Management

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Stress can be found on different workplaces just like local government and its smallest unit the barangay, but nobody talks about it. Partly there is a culture of showing value in accepting any task thrown without question. It means that people take more stress than they can cope with. The importance of the study is to know the major sources of stress among elected Sangguniang barangay in Kawit, Cavite and help them to be aware of the sources of their stress to help them cope.

METHODS

This descriptive research utilized cluster sampling with a total of thirty-seven (37) respondents. The instrument used was the Stress coping scale adapted from Dalimocon, Narbonita, Pasao, and Tabligan (2017).

RESULTS

The result shows that the major sources of stress experienced by elected Sangguniang barangay officials of Kawit, Cavite are financial problems and having a lot of tasks that need to be finished. In addition, coping mechanisms such as keeping a cheerful outlook, being active regularly, doing physical activities, eating well-balanced meals and resting/sleeping are the common strategies done by the respondents in order to manage work-related stress.

DISCUSSIONS

Findings from the research study were able to pinpoint the major sources of stress among elected Sangguniang barangay officials. Data revealed the commonality between the respondents' answers thus, these identified major sources of stress were conclusive. Moreover, it was also reflected in the collected data that wellness activities were the most common coping strategy of the respondents to combat work-related stress. This implies the importance of a strengthened wellness program specifically for government officials for them to perform their tasks efficiently and effectively and thus contributing significantly to the betterment of the community in which they perform their duties as elected public officials.