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MISAMIS UNIVERSITY
2023
COPING STYLES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG COLLEGE
STUDENTS IN OZAMIZ CITY
An Undergraduate Thesis
July 2023
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i
DECLARATION PAGE
We hereby declare that this research output is our original work, and it has been written
by us its entirety. We have duly acknowledged all the sources of information which have
been used in this output.
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Accepted and Approved in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
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ABSTRACT
The mental health of college students has been a growing concern in recent years. Coping
mechanisms are strategies that help people deal with stress and uncomfortable emotions.
Coping refers to the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral efforts to address or to reduce a
troubled relationship of the person and the environment. The phrase “psychological well-
being” is used to describe an individual’s emotional health and overall functioning. The
psychological well-being of a person especially in adults are more likely to be perceived
as a positive mental health. The purpose of this study was to identify the coping styles and
psychological well—being among college students in Ozamiz City. The respondents of the
study were 100 college students.This study utilized a quantitative type of research
particularly the descriptive correlational research design. A researcher made questionnaire
was used in collecting data from the respondents. To derive comprehensive, valid, and
reliable result, mean and standard deviation and pearson product-moment correlation
coefficient were used as statistical method and techniques. The respondents’ demonstrated
an effective coping style and a very high level of psychological well-being. There is a
significant relationship between respondents’ coping styles and psychological well-being.
The predictors of psychological well-being are problem solving and seeking social support.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers would like to expand their sincere gratitude to all those who have
First and foremost, praises and thanks to the Almighty Father for His blessings and
The researchers would like to thank their adviser, Mrs. Khira A. Addis and to Dr.
Sammy B. Taghoy, as the research lecture for their expertise and insightful supervision.
Their expertise, knowledge and insightful feedback have been instrumental in shaping the
The researchers thank and extends appreciation to the participants who generously
dedicated their time and contributed their perspectives, without whom this study would not
have been possible. Their cooperation and valuable insights have enriched the research and
The researchers are indebted to the colleagues and friends who provided assistance
and support during various stages of this research. Their constructive discussions, critical
inputs, and encouragement were tremendously helpful in refining ideas and methodologies.
Lastly, they would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to their families for
their unwavering support, finances and understanding throughout this journey. Their
constant encouragement, patience, and love have been essential in sustaining our
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Once again, they would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all those mentioned
above, as well as any other individuals or entities who have contributed to this research
project in ways that may not be explicitly mentioned. They acknowledge their significant
contributions and recognize the collective effort that has made this study possible.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Declaration Page ii
Abstract iv
Acknowledgement v
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION 1
Theoretical Framework 4
Conceptual Framework 7
Hypothesis 14
CHAPTER II
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 15
Design 15
Setting 15
Respondents 16
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Instruments 16
Ethical Considerations 17
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
Summary 31
Findings 33
Conclusion 34
Recommendations 32
REFERENCES 35
APPENDICES 38
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LIST OF TABLES
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
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Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
The mental health of college students has been a growing concern in recent years
(Milojevich and Lukowski, 2020). Various studies have demonstrated the high frequency
of psychological symptoms associated with this stage of education with stress being one
to the general population (Udhayakumar & Illango, 2018). Hence, the subject of stress
and coping strategies in university students has been extensively studied (Väisänen et al.
2018).
In their daily lives, college students have to face a wide variety of demands, both
academic and non-academic, that could affect their psychological well-being. Academic
academic tasks, preparation for and doing of exams, and the pressure to perform (Webber
et al., 2019). Non-academic demands include change of where they live; the need to
create new social relationships; conflicts with partners, family, or friends; money worries;
Stress can bring with it significant harm to the student’s academic performance
(e.g., reduced ability to pay attention or to memorize, less dedication to study, and more
absences from class) as well as to the student’s physical and psychological health (e.g.,
substance abuse, insomnia, anxiety, and physical and emotional exhaustion) and students
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who are more flexible in their coping demonstrate lower vulnerability to stress as well as
Coping mechanisms are strategies that help people deal with stress and
uncomfortable emotions. Whether you realize it or not, you are using coping mechanisms
regularly. These behaviors can help you cope with stress in a positive way or can
sometimes be harmful (A. Bailey, 2022). Coping mechanisms are cognitive and
behavioral approaches that we use to manage internal and external stressors (Algorani &
Gupta, 2021). The type of coping style and how individuals cope with stressful situations
The type of coping style and how individuals cope with stressful situations determines their
emotional health and overall functioning. Researchers also have found that the absence of
distress doesn’t necessarily indicate a person has high psychological well-being. High
psychological well-being is about feeling happy and doing well. People with high
with life. Studies have discovered that people with higher psychological well-being are
more likely to live healthier and longer lives. They are also more likely to enjoy a better
quality of life ( Hernandez R, et al., 2022). Living a life with meaning and purpose is key
realizes his or her own abilities, when he/she can cope with the normal stresses of life, can
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work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community
Although many studies have examined the coping styles and psychological well-
being of the various individuals, there is still a research gap on the lack of research on the
relationship between specific coping styles and specific psychological variables of the
Respondents of the study may benefit by knowing their coping styles as well as
their psychological well-being. Determining their coping styles could help them increase
their resilience against the inherent stressors of the university context and effectively deal
with a negative emotion or situation, and aid in moving on, managing, and letting go of the
Parents and guardians may also benefit in the results of this study. By knowing the
coping styles and psychological well-being of their children, they can know how to regulate
and manage their attitudes towards their children, generating an emotional climate in which
parents act.
The guidance and counselling offices of the university may also benefit in the
results of this study as it could serve as baseline data to improve counseling services and
establish programs that could help the students in having an awareness about coping styles
The community and the local government may also benefit by being aware of the
coping styles and psychological well-being. It can also help them in making policies and
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programs that promote the awareness and importance of having a positive coping style and
a good psychological well-being. Lastly, the data and information gathered in this study
can serve as a basis to the future researchers if ever, they conduct a related or same study.
Having known all this information, the researchers prompted to conduct a study
which aims to determine the coping styles and psychological well-being of college students
in Ozamiz City.
Theoretical Framework
The investigation was supported by Betty Neuman’s Systems Model (1970). The
Neuman Systems Model is based on the concepts of stress and reaction to it (Neuman and
Fawcett, 2011). The theory of Neuman is inspired by Lazarus 2007 Theory on Coping.
According to Neuman’s theory, all systems experience multiple stressors, each of which
concerns. Every person develops a set of responses to stress that constitute the “normal line
of defense” (Neuman and Fawcett, 2011). This line of defense helps to maintain health and
spiritual resources are unable to buffer stress, the normal line of defense is broken, and
disease often results. The goal of coping strategies is to compensate or alleviate stressful
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Lazarus and Folkman (1984) used the term coping to describe the “cognitive and
focused or problem focused coping. Emotion focused can be emotional distancing, escape
and avoidance such as avoiding confronting the situation or trying to hide the fear by
resorting to comfort food or other substances. While problem focused are self-control,
confrontation, seeking social support, positive reappraisal, and strategic problem solving.
process. According to Lazarus and Folkman (1984), coping strategies can be positive or
negative, depending on whether they increase or reduce mental wellbeing. Coping with the
individual for certain stressors can be positive or negative depending on the indicators that
a person takes on to adjust and adapt with the situation. Neuman specified these reactions
stability or wellness. This is characterized when a person copes through stress by focusing
on finding the solution to the problem. While entropy is set towards disorganization of the
system producing illness. Loukzadeh et al. (2013) supported this theory by postulating that
psychological well-being focuses on the positive and negative emotions and increases
Many studies have posed coping as one of the factors that can determine well-
being. The Neuman’s System Model is equated with wellness or well-being. When an
individual moves toward illness, more energy is needed than what’s available. In contrast,
an individual's system moves toward wellness when more energy is available than is
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needed. This argument supports the claim that coping strategies also play a significant role
in the perception of psychological well-being according to (Kraag et al., 2006). The goal
well-being, the present study identified certain indicators of coping styles based on the
theory of Lazarus and Folkman in which emotion-focused indicators are seeking social
these indicators would be evaluated whether the indicators would contribute to the wellness
Betty Neuman's Systems Model focuses on the concepts of stress and how
individuals, families, and communities react to and manage stressors. According to this
model, individuals develop a set of responses to stress that help maintain their health and
well-being. However, when resources are unable to buffer stress, the normal line of defense
is broken, and disease often results. Neuman's model emphasizes the importance of coping
Model, the researchers recognize that coping strategies are essential for maintaining
Lazarus and Folkman's theory of coping describes the cognitive and behavioral
emotions and seeking social support, while problem-focused coping focuses on finding
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solutions and actively addressing the stressor. Coping strategies can be positive or negative,
Systems Model and Lazarus and Folkman's theory of coping to explore the relationship
between coping styles and psychological well-being among college students. It provides a
framework for understanding the role of coping strategies in maintaining wellness and
preventing illness, and how these strategies may influence an individual's psychological
well-being.
Conceptual Framework
This study investigated the disparities of the coping styles of the respondents and
the state of the psychological well-being of the respondents. It aimed to determine the
Coping Styles
process, the individual makes a cognitive and behavioral effort to manage both external
and internal sources of stress (Väisänen et al. 2018). Coping styles play a significant role
Folkman and Lazarus defined coping as “the constantly changing cognitive and
behavioral efforts to manage the specific external or internal demands that are appraised as
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Problem-solving
Problem solving is the act of defining a problem; determining the cause of the problem;
solving coping styles aim to cognitively reconstruct the problem or alter the situation with
efforts to solve the problem or reduce its effects by taking action. Thus, problem-solving
Studies show that loneliness takes a serious toll on your emotional and physical
health (Tiwari SC, 2022). Strong social support also is important to staying psychologically
healthy. If you lack a support system, take steps to meet more people. Join community
activities, get acquainted with your neighbors, or reach out to old friends. Social support
has generally been found to promote psychological well-being, as well as to buffer the
effects of stress. Shumaker and Hill (1991) defined social support by making a distinction
between structures that refers to the existence and types of connectthin a social network,
implications, and environment provided. A further distinction between friend support and
family support is considered important because different individuals may rely on, or benefit
from, friend or family support to a different extent (Procidano & Heller, 1983).
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Avoidance
Avoidance coping also known as avoidant coping, avoidance behaviors, and escape coping
is a maladaptive form of coping in which a person changes their behavior to avoid thinking
about, feeling, or doing difficult things (E. Scott, 2022). People find themselves using
avoidance coping instead of facing stress head-on for many reasons. Anxious people can
provoking thoughts and situations. Avoidance coping involves the adoption of cognitive,
emotional, or behavioral strategies which aim to avoid having to deal with the problem or
negative emotions that would result from the stressful situation (Wang et al., 2014).
However, avoidance coping is seen to be the most ineffective in reducing stress and that
students may have used them for other reasons, such as previously formed habits and
procrastination. Dwyer (2001) reported that students with higher stress levels used more
avoidance-focused coping strategies. But in the long run, an avoidance coping response to
stress tends to exacerbate anxiety rather than alleviate it. (Hofmann SG, Hay AC, et al.,
2022)
Psychological Well-Being
effectively.” Psychological well-being refers to living life in a complete and satisfying way
and to the development and self-realization of the individual (Linley, 2013). The phrase
functioning. Ryff’s model and measure of psychological well-being is the most widely
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certain dimensions including: (1) self-acceptance, which refers to having optimistic attitude
towards the self and accepting one’s own characteristics; (2) positive relations with others,
which refers to having genuine and satisfactory relations with other people; (3) autonomy,
which basically refers to the extent to which the individual is self-determining and
independent; (4) purpose in life, which includes having goals and objectives in life, and
feeling that life has sense; and (5) personal growth, which refers to the feeling of growth,
and continuous development of one’s own potential (Ryff, 2015). This is supported by the
study of Millstein et al. (2019) in which the different indicators of psychological well-being
are evaluated. Among the predictors reviewed in their study, purpose in life has the highest
positive association with psychological well-being. They also revealed that happiness,
personal growth, and autonomy suggested to have minimal effect and other psychological
Self-acceptance
physical, and positive or negative, exactly as they are (Morgado, Campana, & Tavares,
2019). In turn, becoming more self-accepting lets us practice more acts of self-
love and self-compassion, which help us transform into our most authentic selves (Boyraz
& Kuhl, 2015). Ellis (1995) viewed the strengthening of an individual’s self-acceptance
Flett et al. (2003) wherein it is found that lower levels of self-acceptance were associated
with higher levels of depression. It is also in parallel with the study of Chamberlain and
Haaga (2001) who concluded that lower levels of self-acceptance were associated with
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Positive relations with others
important social determinant of health throughout our lives. In terms of positive relations
with others, studies suggest that social support is an important strategy which helps
people to cope with traumatic experiences. By knowing that there are others who have
experienced the same situation and that there is someone that you can rely on and
understands you can serve as a motivation for an individual and encourage positive
coping. Positive relationships are widely considered to be one of the pillars of well-being.
According to Dirkzwager et al. (2003), having effective social support has been shown to
be one of the most significant correlates of well-being and has long been believed to
positively impact health and guard against distress. Similarly, Dunkley et al. (2000) in
their study, postulated significant negative correlations between higher social support and
Autonomy
The experience of pleasant feelings like happiness and contentment as well as the
development of one's potential, having some control over one's life, having a sense of
purpose, and having meaningful connections are all considered to be components of well-
being (Ruggeri et al., 2020). Moreover, well-being can be linked to various levels of
in all facets of human activity. In this regard, it was determined that the desire for autonomy
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Purpose in life
functioning (Brassai et al., 2019; Park & Gutierrez, 2012). Purpose in life refers to the
tendency to derive meaning from life's experiences and possess a sense of intentionality
and goal directedness that guides behavior. It is a mediator between perceived stress and
avoidant coping, suggesting that having a sense of purpose in life may serve as a buffer
towards negative outcomes following a potentially traumatic event (Halama & Bakošova,
2009). In addition, Park and Baumeister (2017) investigated the daily stress experienced
by individuals and found that people with lower meaning in life had higher stress which
Personal growth
individual's happiness, pleasure and personal growth. Personal growth is the process of an
individual becoming aware of the ‘self’ in its entirety, followed by taking steps to address
the behaviour, attitudes, values, actions and habits that they wish to change. Similarly, in
the past study of Robitschek and Kashubeck (1999), it was postulated that high levels of
personal growth initiatives are related with high levels of psychological well-being and
The figure 1 below shows the schematic diagram of the conceptual framework. It
shows how certain indicators mediate the relationship between coping styles and
psychological well-being.
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Psychological Well-Being
Coping Styles Self-acceptance
Positive relations with
Problem-solving others
Seeking social support Autonomy
Avoidance Purpose in life
Personal growth
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Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to determine the coping styles and the psychological well-being of
the college students in Ozamiz City. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following
questions:
1. What are the respondents' coping styles in terms of problem-solving, seeking social
positive relations with others, autonomy, purpose in life, and personal growth?
psychological well-being?
Hypothesis
H0: There is no significant relationship between the respondents' coping styles and their
psychological well-being.
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Chapter 2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presented the discussion on the design, setting, respondents, instruments,
Design
describes the characteristics of the population studied while the correlational design allows
dependent variables. Since the study is concerned with the relationship between the coping
styles and psychological well-being of college students in Ozamiz City, the researchers
Setting
educational institution that advocates a progressive and dynamic education that upholds the
principle that God is the center of its existence and that education its service offering to God
and country. It is the first and only ISO certified university by Det Norske Veritas, The
Netherlands for Quality Education and Service in Mindanao. The university received ISO
9001:2000 certification in April 28, 2005 and five years later ISO 9001:2008 for its Quality
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Respondents
The study obtained 100 college students from Ozamiz City. College students was
chosen using purposive sampling. Purposive sampling is used to select respondents that are
most likely to yield appropriate and useful information' (Kelly, 2010). The respondents
were regular students currently enrolled in an undergraduate course from the institution
and thereby qualified in the following criteria: (1) must be present during the conduct of
the study; (2) agreed to be part of the study and signed the consent form; (3) must have
Instruments
used in which Part 1 is used to identify the coping styles of the respondents and Part 2
reporting scale and is a 4-point Likert scale which assesses the coping styles of students to
Coping Styles
is a 20-item self-reporting scale and is a 4-point Likert scale which assesses the
Before the conduct of the study, the researchers secured an approval from the Dean
of the institution involved by preparing and handing over a letter of request. The
researchers then distributed the survey questionnaire to the respondents. Then, the data
acquired from the respondents were statistically evaluated to meet the study's data
requirements. The data gathered from the respondents was assembled, categorized,
Ethical Considerations
The conduct of research requires not only expertise and diligence but also honesty
and integrity. This is done to recognize and protect the rights of human subjects. To render
the study ethical, the rights to self-determination, anonymity, confidentiality, and informed
consent were observed. Respondents' consent was obtained before they completed the
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questionnaires. "Informed consent" is defined as the prospective respondent's agreement to
information about the study. Respondents were informed about the purpose of the study
and the procedures that would be used to collect the data, and they were assured that there
were no potential risks or costs involved. Anonymity and confidentiality were maintained
throughout the study, in which anonymity was ensured by not disclosing the patient’s name
on the questionnaire, in research reports, and by detaching the written consent form from
the questionnaire. When respondents are promised confidentiality, it means that the
information they provide will not be publicly reported in a way that identifies them, and it
was maintained by keeping the collected data confidential and not revealing the subjects;
no identifying information was entered onto the questionnaire, and questionnaires were
only numbered after data was collected. Respondents were treated as autonomous agents
by informing them about the study and allowing them to voluntarily choose to participate
or not. Lastly, information was provided about the researchers in the event of further
questions or complaints.
The data acquired from the respondents were statistically evaluated to meet the
study's data requirements. The data was assembled, categorized, arranged and tabulated
efficiently. The researcher used statistical techniques to ensure the validity and reliability
of the analysis and interpretation of data. The researchers used a variety of statistical
Mean and Standard Deviation. Mean, also known as the average, is used to
represent the typical value of the whole population; it can be obtained through the total sum
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of values in a sample divided by the number of values in the sample. Standard deviation is
linear relationship between quantitative variables from the study (n=1 indicates a strong
relationship at all).
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Chapter 3
This chapter presents, analyzes, and interprets the data of the study which are
and avoidance.
well-being.
and Avoidance
Table 1 shows that the overall mean of the respondents' coping style is 2.8746,
which falls within the range of "Effective" on the Coping Styles Scale. This suggests that
the students generally have an effective coping style. It indicates that they possess adequate
strategies to manage and deal with various stressors they encounter. This result aligns with
the findings of a study conducted by Kozłowski, P., et al. (2021), which emphasize that
including problem-solving, avoidance when appropriate, and seeking social support when
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needed. Further, all the individuals surrounding the students plays significant roles in
helping the student cope with stress to enhance their psychological well-being.
Analyzing the coping styles individually, the highest mean score is observed in the
"Problem-Solving" coping style, with a mean of 3.1440. This coping style is inferred as
"Very Effective" according to the Coping Styles Scale. It implies that the respondents
stressors. This finding highlights their ability to actively address and resolve challenges
they encounter, which can contribute to their overall well-being. This result correlates to
the results of the study of Ranjbar (2013) which demonstrated that there is a significant
relationship between social problem solving ability and mental health. Further, Ding et al.
(2021) which claimed that problem-solving coping positively predicted perceived level of
stress, which in turn positively predicted psychological well-being. This suggests that it is
of great importance for students to continuously utilize problem solving coping strategies
On the other hand, the coping style with the lowest mean score is "Seeking Social
Support," with a mean of 2.5160. Despite having the lowest mean, it is still classified as
"Effective" according to the Coping Styles Scale. This suggests that the respondents tend
to seek social support to a certain extent when faced with stressors. In a study conducted
by Poudel et al.(2020), it was demonstrated that adolescents who perceived good social
support had the higher self-esteem, which in turn contributed to their psychological well-
being. It was consistently shown that individuals with close and supportive spouses,
friends, and family have greater life satisfaction and well-being. Thus, seeking social
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support, which involves reaching out to others for emotional or instrumental assistance,
Table 1
Note: Coping Styles Scale: 3.25 - 4.0 (Very Effective); 2.50 - 3.24 (Effective); 1.75 -2.49
Table 2 presents the mean scores and standard deviations for various variables
which falls within the range of 3.25 to 4.0, indicating a very high level of psychological
well-being among the respondents. This means that, on average, the participants in the
others, autonomy, purpose in life, and personal growth. These findings also suggest that
the respondents possess positive psychological qualities and experiences, which can
contribute to their overall well-being and satisfaction with life. This result aligns with the
findings of a study conducted by Seifert (2005) that students with higher scores on this
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measure of psychological well-being are more likely to exhibit self-acceptance, positive
relationships with others, a sense of purpose in life, personal growth, autonomy, and
environmental mastery. It can also be deduced that this people feels capable, happy, well-
supported, and satisfied with life. Thus, it is important for them to be immerse to varying
psychological well-being.
Among the individual variables, the highest mean score is observed for "Personal
Growth" (mean = 3.4875), which indicates that the respondents reported a very high level
of personal growth. This implies that they perceive themselves as continuously developing,
learning, and expanding their capabilities. It suggests that the respondents have a positive
outlook on their own progress and are actively engaged in self-improvement. The study
conducted by Ayub & Iqbal (2012) found out that personal growth initiative is strongly
correlated with psychological well-being and that those students who are high in personal
growth initiative and psychological well-being experience less mental health issues. It can
be deduced that personal growth plays an important role in ensuring that students are
mentally healthy. This further suggests the need to engage students in activities that gives
them the opportunity to continuously enhance their initiative to take part in their personal
On the other hand, the lowest mean score is for "Positive Relations with others"
(mean = 3.1800). Despite being the lowest mean score among the variables, it still falls
within the range of very high psychological well-being. This implies that while the
respondents have a high level of positive relations with others, it may be slightly lower
compared to their scores on other variables. This could indicate that although they generally
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experience positive interactions and relationships with others, there might be room for
Likewise, a study conducted by Mertika et al.(2020) reveals that all relationships described
as positive at each developmental stage are correlated with well-being in various ways.
Thus, activities that develop positive relationships should be given priority to contribute to
the students’ well-being by sharing positive moments, being supportive with respect to
Table 2
Note: Psychological Well-Being Scale: 3.25 - 4.0 (Very High); 2.50 - 3.24 (High); 1.75 -
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Significant Relationship Between the Respondents' Coping Styles and Psychological
Well-being
significant with a p-value of 0.000. Since the p-value is less than 0.01 (highly significant),
it suggests that the relationship between self-acceptance and coping styles as to problem
solving is not likely due to chance. The positive correlation coefficient of 0.374 indicates
that as problem solving coping style increases, psychological well-being in terms of self-
acceptance also tends to increase. This results adhere to the results of the study conducted
by Gucuyeter (2003) as mentioned by Ozer & Korkman (2022) that as adolescents used
more problem-solving and seeking social support strategies, their self-acceptance levels
increased. This further implies that students feel capacitated when they tend to resolve
It was also revealed that there is a significant relationship between the respondents'
social support. The correlation coefficient (r value) of 0.467 is statistically significant with
a p-value of 0.000 which is less than 0.01. Thus, the null hypothesis is rejected. This result
is also coherent to the results of Gucuyeter (2003) emphasizing the importance of seeking
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the rejection of the null hypothesis. It can be deduced that the avoidance coping has a
as stated by Shafir (2022) that avoidance helps individuals function and cope in the short
term when faced with uncontrollable circumstances, thus, improving their psychological
well-being.
On the other hand, Table 3 revealed that there was no significant relationship
between positive relation and problem-solving and avoidance coping strategies since the
correlation coefficient 0.120 and 0.066, respectively are statistically insignificant with a p-
value of 0.236 and 0.514 leading to the acceptance of the null hypothesis. However, a
highly significant relationship was also unveiled between the respondents’ positive
relations and seeking social support coping strategies since the correlation coefficient 0.536
is statistically significant with a p-value of 0.000 leading to the rejection of the null
relationships described as positive at each developmental stage are correlated with well-
being in various ways implying that positive relations go hand in hand with social support
individuals who utilize seeking social support as a coping style are more likely to have
social support as revealed by the correlation coefficient 0.134 with a p-value of 0.184 which
is greater than 0.01 leading to the acceptance of the null hypothesis. This adheres to the
study of Ishikawa et al.(2023) that higher self-reliance was associated with lower intentions
to seek informal and professional help. These findings imply that social support plays a
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critical role in combating the unhelpful aspects of self-reliance on mental health. However,
a statistically significant relationship was found to have existed between autonomy and
problem-solving and avoidance coping styles at a correlation coefficient of 0.516 and 0.284
at a p-value 0.000 and 0.004, respectively. This confirms to the study of Carassco et.al
(2013) varying coping strategies leads to greater perceived autonomy which explains the
A high level of statistically significant relationship was also found to have existed
between having a purpose in life and problem solving and seeking social support strategies
found to have existed between purpose in life and avoidance. This aligns to the findings
augmenting the reasons for living and purpose in life of individuals implying the need to
No significant relationship was also found to have existed between personal growth
and problem solving and avoidance coping strategies at a r-value 0.176 and 0.132,
seeking social support coping styles at a r-value 0.197. This strengthens the study
conducted by Ayub & Iqbal (2012) which found out that personal growth initiative is
strongly correlated with psychological well-being and that those students who are high in
personal growth initiative and psychological well-being experience less mental health
issues. This further suggests the importance of personal growth-enhancing activities for the
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Table 3
Self-Acceptance and
Autonomy and
Personal Growth
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Predictors of Psychological well-being
The table reveals that both problem-solving and seeking social support have a
represents the expected psychological well-being score when all predictor variables are
zero. The p-value for the constant is 0.000, indicating that it is statistically significant.
The predictor variable "Problem Solving" has a coefficient (β) of 0.2101 with a
standard error of 0.0762. The t-value of 2.76 suggests that problem-solving has a positive
and significant effect on psychological well-being. The p-value of 0.007 indicates that the
The predictor variable "Seeking Social Support" has a coefficient (β) of 0.3378 with
a standard error of 0.0707. The t-value of 4.78 implies that seeking social support has a
positive and significant impact on psychological well-being. The p-value of 0.000 indicates
that the relationship between seeking social support and psychological well-being is highly
The adjusted R-squared value of 31.18% suggests that the predictor variables in the
well-being. This indicates that other factors not included in the model also contribute to
psychological well-being.
This result aligns with the findings of a study conducted by Kagema, M., et al.
(2017), which suggest that social support, specifically parental support, guidance and
psychological well-being. The study found positive and significant relationships between
29
these forms of social support and psychological well-being among the students. This
implies the critical role that problem-solving strategies and social support plays on the
Table 4
p-value 0.007
Note: * means p-value = < 0.05 significant at 5% level; ns > 0.05 not significant at
5%
30
Chapter 4
study's findings, presenting the results of the data analysis, drawing meaningful
conclusions, and offering practical recommendations. The aim is to synthesize the key
insights derived from the research and propose actionable steps to improve the coping
Summary
The objective of this study was to learn about how college students in Ozamiz
City cope with problems and how it affects their well-being. It focuses on determining the
coping styles and psychological well-being of college students in Ozamiz City. The
made questionnaire to gather data on coping styles and psychological well-being. The
findings revealed that the students generally exhibited effective coping styles, with a
students reported a very high level of psychological well-being, with strong scores in
Findings
1. The study found out that college students in Ozamiz City exhibit effective coping
styles. The overall mean score for coping styles was 2.8746, falling within the range
31
of "Effective" on the Coping Styles Scale. The highest mean score was observed in
the "Problem-Solving" coping style, indicating that the respondents possess strong
problem-solving skills to manage stressors. However, the coping style with the
lowest mean score was "Seeking Social Support," indicating that while students
strategies.
2. The study revealed that the students in the higher education institution reported a
score was 3.3035, falling within the range of 3.25 to 4.0, indicating a strong sense
personal growth. Among the individual variables, the highest mean score was
lowest mean score was for "Positive Relations with others," suggesting that while
students had positive interactions with others, there might be room for further
positive relation and problem solving and avoidance coping strategies while a
avoidance coping strategies nut not correlated to seeking social support. A high
32
level of statistically significant relationship was also found to have existed between
having a purpose in life and problem solving and seeking social support strategies.
Additionally, personal growth was found to be correlated with problem solving and
suggest that both problem-solving and seeking social support are significant
solving and seek social support tend to have higher levels of psychological well-
being.
Conclusions
1. The college students in Ozamiz City generally possess effective coping styles, with
4. While coping styles play a role in certain aspects of psychological well-being, other
factors may influence autonomy, purpose in life, and personal growth. Further
33
Recommendations
importance of seeking social support when needed to help them increase their resilience
especially for the parents and guardians to know how to regulate and manage their attitude
towards their children, aiming to enhance the dimension of positive relations with others
in psychological well-being. Provide support and resources for students to develop and
students to promote awareness and importance on their coping styles and their
psychological well-being.
Conduct further research to explore the specific mechanisms through which coping
well-being, and identify interventions to enhance these coping strategies among students.
For future researchers, this can serve as a basis if they conduct a related or same
study and it is recommended to increase the number of respondents and to not use
34
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37
APPENDICES
38
Appendix B: Research Instrument
QUESTIONNAIRE
Instruction: Read each statement carefully and rate them accordingly that best corresponds
to your answer. Please put a (/) check on the box provided. Refer to the following codes 4-
Problem-solving
1. I don’t think rationally on my
situations and decide what to do.
2. I engage in brainstorming or idea
generation when attempting to
solve a problem.
3. I've been thinking hard about what
steps to take.
4. I take action to try solutions to
make the situation better.
5. I’ve been blaming myself for
things that happened.
Seeking social support
6. I can handle myself and don’t
bother anyone.
7. I go out and spend time with my
family or friends.
8. I go to the guidance counselor and
seek support.
9. I seek emotional support by talking
to a friend or classmate.
10. I post on social media and seek
support online.
39
Avoidance
11. I find comfort to alcoholic drinks
and any other drugs by myself.
12. I get away and forget the problem.
Instructions: Read each statement carefully and rate them accordingly that best corresponds
to your answer. Please put a (/) check on the box provided. Refer to the following codes
4-Strongly Agree (SA), 3-Agree (A), 2-Disagree (DA). 1 Strongly Disagree (SD).
Self-acceptance
5. Maintaining close
relationships and voicing
40
my feelings has been easy
for me.
6. I feel supported and loved
by others around me– (e.g.,
friends, family, etc)
7. I know how to get along
with other people.
8. I enjoy personal and mutual
conversations with family
members or friends.
Autonomy
41
19. I am more mature and
experienced in my attitude
and behavior.
20. I think it's important to have
new experiences to
challenge how you think
about yourself and the
world.
42
Appendix C: Informed Consent Form
MISAMIS UNIVERSITY
Ozamiz City 7200, Philippines
College of Nursing, Midwifery and Radiologic Technology
Tel No. +63 88 521-0367 / Telefax No. +63 88 521-2917
E-mail Address: [email protected]
MISAMIS UNIVERSITY
Ozamiz City
College of Nursing, Midwifery and Radiologic Technology
Title
This study is titled “Coping Styles and Psychological Well-Being of College Students in
Ozamiz City” in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of
Science in Nursing.
Researcher
This study is to be conducted by Crislyn Frecia Macalua, Keizha Faye N. Malagum,
Angel Lou S. Mutia, Cristine Joy T. Pace and Valerie Rose O. Ranada, who is pursuing
the degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Misamis University College of Nursing,
with Ms. Khira M. Adalin as the adviser. The researcher can be contacted through this
mobile number +639389676425 or email address [email protected],
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and
[email protected].
Potential Benefits
Respondents of the study may benefit by knowing their coping styles as well as their
psychological well-being. Determining their coping styles could help them increase their
resilience against the inherent stressors of the university context. It can also help them
reflect and learn how to properly handle negative emotions, panic attacks, and other
43
difficult situations. This will help them effectively deal with a negative emotion or
situation, and aid in moving on, managing, and letting go of the negative feelings that are
associated with that experience.
Confidentiality
Anonymity and confidentiality were maintained throughout the study, in which
anonymity was ensured by not disclosing the patient’s name on the questionnaire, in
research reports, and by detaching the written consent form from the questionnaire. When
respondents are promised confidentiality, it means that the information they provide will
not be publicly reported in a way that identifies them, and it was maintained by keeping
the collected data confidential and not revealing the subjects; no identifying information
was entered onto the questionnaire, and questionnaires were only numbered after data
was collected. Respondents were treated as autonomous agents by informing them about
the study and allowing them to voluntarily choose to participate or not.
Publication
The results of this study may be published in any form for public and scholarly
consumption or used in classrooms instruction to enrich learning and generate more
knowledge for future research.
Participation
Your participation in this study must be voluntary and you have the right to withdraw if
you feel uncomfortable in the process of gathering information from you.
Informed Consent
Given the information above, I confirm that the potential harms, benefits, and alternatives
have been explained to me. I have read and understood this consent form, and I
understand that I am free to withdraw from my involvement in the study any time I deem
it to be necessary or to seek clarifications for any unclear steps in the research process.
My signature indicates my willingness to participate in the study.
_____________________________________________ ____________
44
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name : Crislyn Frecia Macalua
Address : Guma Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur
Date of Birth : October 4, 2001
Place of Birth : Guma Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur
Age : 21 years old
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Roman Catholic
Mother’s Name : Grecelda M. Lantaca
Father’s Name : Joel S. Lantaca
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
ELEMENTARY: Pob. A Midsalip Elemtary School
Pob. A Midsalip Zamboanga del sur
2013-2014
JUNIOR HIGH: Pob. A Midsalip National High School
Pob. A Midsalip Zamboanga del sur
2017- 2018
SENIOR HIGH: Pob. A Midsalip National High School
Pob. A Midsalip Zamboanga del sur
2019-2020
45
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name : Keizha Faye N. Malagum
Address : Kinangay Norte, Clarin, Misamis
Occidental
Date of Birth : May 1, 2001
Place of Birth : Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
Age : 21 years old
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Latter day Saints
Mother’s Name : Faith N. Malagum
Father’s Name : Richard S. Malagum
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
ELEMENTARY: Clarin Central School
Pob 3, Clarin, Misamis Occidental
2013-2014
JUNIOR HIGH: Misamis Occidental National High School
Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
2017- 2018
SENIOR HIGH: La Salle University
Aguada, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental
2019-2020
46
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name : Angel Lou S. Mutia
Address : Lobogon , Aloran, Misamis Occidental
Date of Birth : March 20, 2002
Place of Birth : Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital Oroquieta
City
Age : 21 years old
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Roman Catholic
Mother’s Name : Mary Ann S. Mutia
Father’s Name : Loreto T. Mutia Jr.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
ELEMENTARY: Aloran Central School
Dalisay, Aloran, Misamis Occidental
2013-2014
JUNIOR HIGH: St. Matthew's High School
Dalisay, Aloran, Misamis Occidental
2017- 2018
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: Stella Maris College
Independence St., Oroquieta City
2019 – 2020
47
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name : Cristine Joy T. Pace
Address : P-3 Gata Diot Clarin, Misamis Occidental
Date of Birth : October 8, 2001
Place of Birth : Zamboanga Sibugay Province
Age : 21 years old
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Roman Catholic
Mother’s Name : Myrsan Tinapay
Father’s Name : Gregorio Pace
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
ELEMENTARY: Lapasan Elementary School
Lapasan, Clarin Mis. Occ
2013-2014
JUNIOR HIGH: Our Lady Of Peace High School
Malabang, Lanao Del Sur
2017- 2018
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: Claremont School Of General Trias
Cavite Inc.
Pasong Camachile 1 General trias Cavite
2019 – 2020
48
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name : Valerie Rose O. Ranada
Address : Poblacion Tabina Zamboanga
del Sur
Date of Birth : February 14, 2002
Place of Birth : Pagadian City Zamboanga del
Sur
Age : 20 years old
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Roman Catholic
Mother’s Name : Rosalita O. Ranada
Father’s Name : Papin E. Ranada
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
ELEMENTARY: Tabina Central Elementary School
Poblacion, TabinaZamboanga del Sur
2013-2014
JUNIOR HIGH: Saint Ambrose High School
Poblacion, Tabina Zamboanga del Sur
2017- 2018
SENIOR HIGH: Saint Columban College
San Francisco District, Pagadian City 7016,
Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines 2019-2020
49