ACADEMIC EFFECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AMIDST COVID19 PANDEMIC Revised 1
ACADEMIC EFFECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AMIDST COVID19 PANDEMIC Revised 1
ACADEMIC EFFECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AMIDST COVID19 PANDEMIC Revised 1
Region 1
Alaminos City Division
Alaminos City National High School
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Alaminos City, Pangasinan
Qualitative Research
Darius D. Lacson
Lexine R. Grate
May 2021
1
Chapter 1
Introduction
result today’s biggest unseen enemy, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
such as we, have different ways in coping with stress, anxiety, and with
depressive moods. The sudden change in our day-to-day life greatly affects how
identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. By the fact that it is a new virus,
scientists discover more each day. Although most people who have COVID-19
have mild symptoms, COVID-19 can also cause severe illness and even death.”
with 3,444,294 deaths and 146,514,593 recovered. With USA having the most
COVID-19 cases, with a total of 33,833,181 total cases, 602,616 total deaths,
And as of May 21, 2021, there are 1,165,155 COVID-19 cases with
Manila Bulletin stated that “The cities of Pasay, San Juan, and Makati
Health (DOH) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).” (Manila Bulletin,
2021)
In Pangasinan, there are 6,742 total COVID-19 confirmed cases with 288
total deaths and 5,838 total recoveries, as of April 18, 2021. (Province of
The pandemic impacted our lives in ways we could not even imagine. With
the continuous rising of cases, a lot of plans and occasions are being cancelled.
Some families and relatives were not able to attend birthdays, and some were
not able to be there for their loved ones during loss at funerals. In the context of
prepared in the face of great uncertainty. The pandemic itself has triggered a
up with this study and will be able to identify the academic effects of mental
pandemic.
High School Learners and how it influenced their academic performance during
1. What are the mental health difficulties are being experienced by SHS
2. How does the studying environment of the student affect their distance
learning experience?
distance learning?
4. What are the adaptive measures utilized by the learners when continuing
5. What are the following factors which make modular distance learning
performance?
4
The researchers aimed to find out the impact of mental health difficulties in
The findings of this study will provide significant and beneficial information
future researchers.
To the teachers, the data gained in this study will be used as a guide to
mental health.
To the parents, this study can be utilized by them to assist with their
To the Senior High School learners, this research study would provide
beneficial knowledge on the learning adaptations they can utilize to improve their
To future researchers, this study would provide aid in their study and
help them produce information for a better and more in-depth research study.
The findings of this study provide vital information that may come in handy for
health difficulties of Grade 11 senior high school students. The primary subjects
year 2020-2021. The respondents were limited to eight (8) Grade 11 students
Strand of Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) of the City of Alaminos,
Definition of Terms
This section contains the conceptual definition of terms used in the study.
some terms that were used within the study context was likewise presented.
and Mathematics strand. It is where the participants of the study came from.
7
CHAPTER 2
This chapter presents the review of the related literature and studies was
their study. The similarities and differences between the cited studies and the
Related Literature
Foreign Literature
Most theorists agree that stress is or perhaps, can be adaptive, with its
both from factors found inside their home, events regarding their environment in
activities. These disruptive feelings and emotions due to such forces contribute to
quarantine, some of which persisted after the quarantine was lifted (Pfefferbaum
8
& North, 2020). The Coronavirus disease 2019 infection is a new disease hence,
it is important to understand that its emergence and spread may lead to cognitive
distress, anxiety, and fear in the public which then may lead to harmful
services, the digital platform remains uncharted territory for most people in a low-
2017-18, 24% of households in India have an internet facility and only 8% of all
households with members aged between five and 24 have both a computer and
coronavirus is the new normal, the latest Stress in America survey finds. Nearly
half of parents of children under age 18 say their stress levels related to the
Local Literature
There are two types of online teaching and learning: synchronous, which
online channels. Some would mix the methods. Schools that use asynchronous
virtual application; however, students must study at their own pace. The
means professors will pass out all the handouts for the whole semester to cover
all the topics in the examination. A great number of students evidently reveal
difficulties with this method of learning, especially to those learners who study
academic courses on your own and with having someone teaching you face-to-
where students may ask their peers or teachers for immediate clarifications. This
may cause stress and other mental disorders among the isolated students.
Another setback among students is that they may lose interest in the subject
matter and, thus become fewer effective learners. At times, it is also hard to
obtain immediate feedback or other related concerns from teachers due to the
These two incur monetary consumption that some cannot afford. According to a
study that surveyed internet usage among Filipinos in 2018, 45% of the
students with low resiliency and social support. Though, lockdown policies
adversely affected people’s habitual life, with serious consequences for mental
routines and activities, social isolation, lack of security, imminent threat to health
relieved by rest or food intake, intense yearning to rest, lack of physical and
and may consequently lead to a decreased quality of life (Ream & Richardson,
Related Studies
Foreign Studies
and stress are accredited with a higher level of morbidities among students from
all parts of the world (Asif et al., 2020). From these issues, the academic
support are conducive to better physical and mental health. On the other hand,
Based on the studies conducted, students who resided with their families
during the lockdown had significantly lower stress levels than those who did not;
in fact, the students who were surrounded by family reported less frequent terror
symptoms than the students who were living alone during that time. Furthermore,
students who were able to return to their families adjusted to distance learning
with more ease (Demetriou, L., Keramioti, L., & Hadjicharalambous, D., 2021).
The cited foreign works of literature and studies included in this part of the
health difficulties among students in addition to its effects and the following
12
contributory factors to its increasing volume during this pandemic which are
analogous to our proposed research study. It is, however, different in some of its
parts due to its presented data which collected from samples of different groups
of people from other countries, which may cause some of its specific data and
results gathered to be different from what we aim to achieve and find in this
proposed study.
Local Studies
intensified due to the absence of a real community and the growing isolation of
kids from their peers who may be able to support them. (Cagula, 2020).
According to studies, positive coping skills and personal resilience are key
factors that may protect an individual from lockdown-induced fatigue and other
for successful recovery from difficult or stressful circumstances (Hart, Brannan, &
De Chesnay, 2014), while coping skills are helpful to resolve or hasten the
pandemic, adequate personal resilience and coping skills are vital to help an
individual cope with the negative effects of the pandemic and support their
mental health (Labrague & De los Santos, 2020). Studies have shown that
individuals with poor coping skills (Liang et al., 2020) and a negative mind set
al., 2020) are at higher risk for developing mental and psychological issues
& Ballad, 2020).
section of the research included pertinent information about the academic effects
participants and interviewees proving empirical data conducted, thus making our
these works show the various perspectives of individuals towards this topic and
its issues, since our research are centered in studying the academic effects of
CHAPTER 3
This chapter describes the research methodology which was used in the
Research Design
by the researchers and eventually led to the success and completion of the
study.
pandemic.
15
Purposive sampling was used in this study; this was considered as one of
this design, the researchers selected the participants who were available and
In obtaining data, interview method was used, and it was recorded through
significant data. The interview with each participant was done inside their working
Analyses of the cases were derived based on theories and findings that
was presented in the literature and studies. Discussion was focused on the
The participants of the study were limited to eight (8) participants that are
Data-Gathering Procedures
respect to their availability. They were interviewed for clarification and vital
abstraction wherein the data will be summarized in steps. The similarities and
CHAPTER 4
This chapter presents the data gathered, the details of the analysis and
Pandemic).
points out that internet is needed, and learning becomes difficult when there is no
distance learning and her mental well-being is poor during this time of a
pandemic.
18
as for his mental well-being during this trying times according to him is
turned out to be what he has expected especially how the lessons and
information are disseminated. In addition, he spells out that his well-being is not
looking good.
She hints that she has few ups and downs but nothing serious to be concerned
about.
Participant 6 felt great about the distance learning. It makes her day
productive and allows her to learn amidst COVID-19 pandemic. She points out
that her mental well-being is good, and she still can cope up with the stress that
has many impacts on a STEM student like him. He is doing well as a STEM
student given that he is a science student last school year and already knew
connection with the teachers for some are hard to reach out for some concerns,
specifically about the lessons. She added that her mental state was becoming
worst everyday due to the pandemic brought by the COVID-19, she also
mentioned that being in a STEM strand which has arduous subjects added more
complexity.
Interpretation of Findings
The findings suggest that mental health difficulties that the students
encountered being a STEM student undergoing distance learning vary from each
other. However, most of them pointed out that they can handle the difficulties of
being a STEM student undergoing modular distance learning for they are being
challenged for new experiences and circumstances, but these challenges may
potential threat to their physical, mental, and emotional health as well as their
experience. One of the major factors that the respondent thinks that affects
negatively to a learner’s studying are ruckus and noises which disrupt a person’s
environment. Learners who do not have a monthly allowance are having a hard
time submitting requirements that need money to properly make or execute it.
announcements and important files that are sent by teachers may not be
responses.
In his personal experience, slow internet connection and finance are the
experience.
21
She stated that the negative factors that affect the distance learning
experience of learners are first, a slow or poor internet connection that may affect
a student's communication with their teachers. Since learners are doing school
activities in their homes, they are somehow still obligated into doing household
chores. Yes, it is true that compared to face-to-face classes, a learner has a little
freer time to themselves considering they are in their homes, but this does not
change the fact that being in their means continuing with their household chores
despite also obligating to finish schoolwork. Since their schedule for doing school
activities are already also used for finishing household chores, students may lack
time in doing their requirements and tend to stay up all night with also affects
Her environment does affect her distance learning experience. She stated
that she has an obligation to look after her younger siblings since she is eldest,
and both her parents are working meaning that most housework are also part of
her schedule. Their poor internet connection also negatively affects her virtual
studies.
their family or the people they live with, as well as problems that a student may
home have harmed his mental health, causing him to neglect his distance
learning academics.
He believes that one of the factors that affect a student’s distance learning
lastly as a friend to their peers which can disrupt their focus when receiving an
claimed that he freely and logically allowed these things to affect him. “My
parents would not bother me upon answering modules, they have to prep meals
and such, I would often take responsibility for washing the dishes and cleaning
learning experience is loud noises that are produced from their learning
environment.
In her personal experience, the main factor that affected her learning
engaged in doing their school activities. It also improves their overall learning
abilities.
She also added that it is basic sense that students would be better off in a
peaceful environment.
In her experience, the factors in her learning environment that affect her
academics are chores that her parent asks her to finish. A scenario she
mentioned that commonly happens to her that disturbs her studying is when she
watches explainer videos and in the middle of her watching, her focus gets
Interpretation of findings
Senior High School STEM 11 learners deals with various factors in their
learning environment that affects their academic life. The common factors that
these students deal with in their environment are loud noises, a ruckus that
learning education.
He spent six to eight hours of learning at home, and he also manage his
student, son, and himself. He gave himself a deadline in every task he does for
She realized that she almost consumes eight to ten hours every day in
reading and answering her modules. Just like participant number one, she makes
her own schedule, but the difference is she do household chores first before
student particularly his modules for daily. He openly mentioned that he does not
He used at least six hours or more a day in doing his activities provided
weekly by the distance learning education. He was able to manage his time
effectively even though he has a lot of responsibilities that are embedded in his
role as a son, a friend, a brother, and a student at the same time. He also added
that he makes sure that no other tasks except from modules are left behind. He
also manages to have a good rest so as to not lose his energy to fill in the day.
distance learning education. She claimed that she not really manages her time
for all the activities she has in daily. She just answers modules and do the other
She set the day with an alarm that rings on the 10 th hour she is dealing
with her education, especially in this modular learning. She is able to manage her
tasks that may waste her time instead of answering her modules and working her
responsibilities at home.
He has an average time ranging from five to eight hours of dealing with his
take this time for his modules or give this for other tasks that exclude the school
affiliated activities. He believes that he manages his time base on how he passes
She was able to spend her time dealing with distance learning education
more or less eight hours a day. She honestly answered that she does not really
Interpretation of Findings
The average hours the respondents spend on dealing with their distance
learning education is eight hours. Majority of them have their own schedule for
them to manage their time according to their roles, and the rest of them do not
deny the fact that they cannot manage their time effectively.
such periods of confinement also needs to be focused upon, as women are often
27
4. The adaptations that the student made when continuing their education
purchased pocket Wi-Fi and a laptop to continue his education through modular
printed.
and expectations when completing her tasks. Through this, she said that it
time.
Our respondent stated that he did not make any adaptations regarding
his education under this type of learning modality and is at a loss on the
28
possible ways in which he can adapt. Additionally, he mentioned that there was
at a certain part of the house helped him focus and allowed him to learn
gadgets and managing his time wisely helped him save and manage his time
studies helped him focus and accommodated his needs in this modular
did help her complete tasks in her studies, there is still a significant difference
distance learning education, there is no proper schedule for her to study her
practicing patience and having grit when completing her tasks. Through these
adaptations, she said it helped her withstand failures. She also believed that
these adaptations helped her in her academic performance this school year.
Our respondent did not mention any adaptions that he made in his study
under distance learning modality. While he stated that he still gained high
grades even when under modular distance learning education, continuing his
face-to-face modality.
Participant 8 stated that she adapted by managing her time and using
her dreams as her motivation to keep her heart strong when experiencing
difficulties in her studies under modular distance learning. For her, there is no
Interpretation of Findings
by finding out information on the problem and learning new skills to manage
the problem helps at changing or eliminating the source of the stress. (Zarei et
al., 2016).
students and how did it affect their mental and academic performance.
Participant 1 pointed out that many activities are required to be done even
in just one subject. In addition, he finds distance learning challenging due to the
missing answer sheets and projects that he submitted, resulting to stress. Thus,
She stated that the household obligations and poor internet connection
are the main factors for her as doing household chores make her exhausted
which causes her difficulty in understanding the discussions and activities. She
also added that these obligations not only affect her mental well-being, but also
among his family. He mentioned that this can drastically damage his mental
31
health that shows Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), potential depression,
techniques, methodologies make him evenly challenged. On the other hand, the
pandemic itself brought numerous mental health disorders like anxiety attacks for
him and breakdown. He also added that he has “so-called” friends who
negatively take advantage his kindness when it comes to tutoring these friends.
can do. He started to question himself and filled his mind with “I cannot.” He
exposed himself with loneliness and begin to qualm about his trust to everyone.
According to her, managing her time was presented as the factor which
management elicited stress behaviors, but she mentioned that this mental
difficulty is manageable.
The factors she said challenging for her are lack of guidance, external
distractions, and responsibilities inside her home. These factors discourage her
to perform well and made her unmotivated and thought negative things which are
On the adjustment that the learners would do for the upcoming face-to-
face classes. Senior High School students are planning to adapt once again to
face-to-face classes by following safety protocols, advanced reading, building a
routine, and purchasing the necessary school supplies, etc.
CHAPTER 5
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
the conclusions drawn based on the findings of the study from the participants
Summary of Findings
learners affects their distance learning experience. It also implied how students
manage their time when undergoing modular distance learning and what
which make distance learning challenging to students and its effect on their
academic performance.
This study utilized the virtual interview research method using Google
made in the face of a pandemic. Majority of them negatively felt this transition
how they feel about modular distance learning which results to different
studies where the environment is socially active and cheap. This modular
distance learning requires strong signal strength and internet which needs top up
consumption. Ms. Valentine found this modality as exhausting shift in roles. Mr.
Parkour sought this adjustment as discouraging and made him uninterested. Mr.
Calculus was saddened about this sudden swift in mode of learning that restricts
only for choosing the distance learning education and this mode did not pass his
about this self-learning modules. Despite of the negative prospects, Ms. Artist,
Mr. Chill, and Ms. Crying Lady shared similar views on how they accept the
factors from their learning environment. This has affected the academic stability
36
distance learning.
The data analysis found the factors that affected the learner’s modular
learners also have a problem with poor connection or slow signal which affects
important files and links. In modular distance learning, students are required to
still obligated into doing household chores or tasks that their guardian has told
them to finish, ruckus and loud activities can be also present in a learner’s home,
and this evidently disrupts a student’s focus towards their school activities and
schedule. Mental health is one of the major parts of learners that gets affected by
people from their learning environment such as their family; there can be events
not only their academics but more likely their own life.
more motivated and engaged in doing their school activities as well as also
improves their overall learning abilities which seem to be accurate based on the
responses we received.
37
learning education.
pursue the continuity in serving its own mission amidst pandemic which restricted
only to modular distance learning. These self-learning modules have been taking
a lot of time that limit the learners to spend their time properly. As to deal with
this, it is necessary to seek for ways to manage these activities and be able to
Based on the data analysis, the different ways on how learners manage
their time in dealing with their responsibilities at home and in the modular
distance learning are having their schedule ready when the day starts, setting
their alarm clocks to remind them of the time they have consumed during a task,
and some respondents honestly claimed that they do not think of ways on how
they deal with their tasks and just go with the flow of the time.
This concludes that there are different ways on how learners manage their
time. Getting a schedule ready to start a day is true to three respondents out of
eight participants, and these were Mr. Newspaper, Ms. Valentine, and Mr.
Calculus. Ms. Crying Lady as the only one who sets an alarm to begin a day with
modules to deal with, and finally, majority of the admitted that they do not really
4. The adaptations that the students made when continuing their education
daily routines and expectations, having a fixed study area in their house,
patience and having grit. The following adaptations are said to make a positive
learners is through time management, which is true to three (3) out of (8)
participants. These were Ms. Cosmetis, Ms. Artist, and Mr. Calculus.
students and how did it affect their mental and academic performance.
Numerous challenges have been drawn out when the condition of our
country due to the pandemic became worst day by day. The swift adjustment
39
Based on the data analysis, the biggest enemies of the learners during the
modular distance learning are the weak signal strength which also results to poor
forced them to do what they have passed, external distractions like personal
challenge brought by the pandemic itself is unchallenging, and lastly, other house
obligations. These challenges have been presented as the stressors for it bring
However, the participants share similar mental health difficulties while dealing
Conclusions
1. The mental health difficulties that the students encountered being a STEM
challenges may have severe results about their mental health status.
poor time management, and the self-learning module itself are the factors
Recommendations
41
2. To the teachers
2.1. Teachers should understand more about the situation that their students are
facing especially in their mental health.
2.2. Them providing considerations and advice to their learners would be
beneficial especially in their distance learning which can help ease the difficulties
their learner’s experience.
3. To the parents
3.1. This study recommends they understand their children’s difficulties regarding
distance learning and be aware of the state of their children’s mental health.
3.2. It is recommended that parents should support and motivate their children to
help ease the burdens their children carry.
4. To the students
4.1. This study recommends learners be aware of the mental health difficulties
that they may encounter while undergoing modular distance learning.
4.2. This study recommends learners obtain knowledge on how various factors in
their learning environment can heavily affect their academic life while undergoing
modular distance learning.
4.3. Learners must gain awareness on how to abate the difficulties they
experience through the utilization of various adaptations to aid in their modular
distance learning.
5. To future researchers
42
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World Health Organization. (2015). WHO urges more investments, services for
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International journal of mental health and addiction, 14(6), 1057-1061.
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APPENDICES
47
INTERVIEW GUIDE
LEARNING?
1. How much time do you spend each day on an average distance learning
education?
1. What are some of the following adaptations you made to continue your
education through a distance learning modality?
1. In your personal experience, what are the main factors which made
distance learning challenging to you?
2. How did these difficulties affect your mental wellbeing in addition to your
academic performance?
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DOCUMENTATION
CURRICULUM VITAE
Age: 17
City of Alaminos
Parents
Education
Age: 17
Parents
Education
Salutatorian
Age: 17
Parents
Education
Valedictorian
Junior High School: Dasol Integrated School & Alaminos City National
High School
Age: 17
Parents
Education
Junior High School: Colegio San Jose de Alaminos & Alaminos City
With Honors