The Coping Mechanisms of Senior High School Students with Their
Depression and Anxiety Amidst the Pandemic
By
Research Teacher
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Acknowledgement
First and foremost, the researchers give all their praises to God the Father for granting
them the wisdom and strength they needed to complete this study.
To Ms. (name of teacher), our Practical Research 1 instructor,for sharing her extensive
knowledge, for her unending support regarding this study, and for the time and effort she gave
us.
To Ms. (name of teacher), our Statistics and Basic Calculus teacher, for equipping us
with additional information that immensely helped us in our study.
To the students of (name of your school), for their sincere participation and enthusiasm
that contributed to the findings of our study.
Lastly, to our beloved families, friends, and acquaintances for providing some insight as
well as for motivating us to carry on when we felt like giving up.
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Abstract
This qualitative research aimed to determine the coping mechanisms of Senior High School
students with their depression and anxiety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey
questionnaire through Google Forms was the primary tool used to gather information. This was
thoroughly scrutinized by a teacher of Practical Research 1 to ensure its alignment with the
statement of the problem of the research.
Due to the open-ended questions, the gathered data were analyzed and interpreted carefully to
obtain a deep understanding of it. Pie graphs and descriptive ways were utilized in fulfilling this.
The study proved that the new normal learning modalities or schooling through online
conferences magnify the depression and anxiety of Senior High School students. Apart from that,
many respondents found themselves getting worried over not being able to be with their friends
or loved ones physically. The reason behind this is the sustained home quarantine that was issued
by the government. Based on the findings, the youth mostly cope with their mental illnesses
through various activities suchlike napping and escaping the world by listening to music.
All in all, the recent pandemic proved to be of negative impact on the mental soundness of
Senior High School students. Hence, they continued to practice different coping strategies during
this global outbreak.
Keywords: Coping Mechanisms, Senior High SchoolStudents, Depression, Anxiety, Pandemic
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
The Problem and its Background…………………………………………………..1
Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………...2 to 3
Assumptions…………………………………………………….......................3 to 4
Conceptual Framework…………………………………………………….............4
Significance of the Study……………………………………………………...4 to 5
Scope and Delimitation…………………………………………………….............5
Definition of Terms……………………………………………………............5 to 6
CHAPTER 2 or Review of Related Literature and Studies
Local……………………………………...........................................................7 to 8
Foreign…………………………………….......................................................8 to 12
CHAPTER 3 or Methodology
Type of Research………………………….............................................................13
Respondents and Sampling Method……………………………………................13
Instruments……………………………………......................................................13
Data Collection Procedure……………………………………..............................14
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CHAPTER 4 or Results and Discussion
Figure 1……………………………………...........................................................15
Figure 2……………………………………...........................................................16
Figure 3……………………………………...........................................................17
Figure 4……………………………………...........................................................18
Figure 5……………………………………...........................................................19
Figure 6……………………………………...........................................................20
Figure 7……………………………………...........................................................21
Figure 8……………………………………...........................................................22
Figure 9……………………………………...........................................................23
Figure 10…………………………………….........................................................24
CHAPTER 5
Summary of Findings…………………………………….....................................25
Conclusions……………………………………....................................................26
Recommendations……………………………………..........................................27
References…………………………………….........................................................28 to 30
Appendix……………………………………....................................................................31
Survey Questionnaires……………………………………....................................32
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CHAPTER 1
The Problem and its Background
Have you ever experienced going to class feeling down from time to time? It’s a normal
part of life, but when emotions such as melancholy and despair take hold and just won’t go
away, you might be suffering from depression and anxiety. These mood disorders change how
you think, feel, and function in daily activities. It’s psychologically deeper than sadness; hence, it
can meddle with your daily affairs such as working, studying, sleeping, and eating.Depression
and anxiety are recurring problems among students during this pandemic. It attacks their minds
and makes them believe that e there’s something wrong with them. It also causes them to be
mentally unstable; moreover, they will feel severe lethargy even though they don’t do a lot of
exhausting things. Depression and anxiety make them worry about incidents that are not yet
happening or have a low chance of occurring. It’s making them feelunsafe, tired, lonely,
worthless, insecure, and irritated. Both mental illnesses are known to be on the same level as
diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory infections.
The Senior High School department, of course, isn’t excluded from these issues. It
gravely affects academic performance and the overall behavior of Senior High School students.
The added two years with regards to the K-12 program may be overwhelming, but it’s an
unforgettable experience that will help learners succeed in college. People, especially the youth
who have these mental health illnesses are at risk of poor intellectual attainment and resistance to
anything school-related. This can include lack of engagement in the virtual classroom, poor
relationships with peers and teachers, disinterest in pursuing passions, and giving up their future
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plans. Their learning is also affected due to the fact that depression and anxiety can impact the
workingmemory. This makes it challenging to retain new information and recall previously
learned knowledge. When Senior High School students are depressed or are dealing with
anxiety, they are more likely to disengage from the classroom.
It is important to be informed on how to avoid these serious disorders. When you're
feeling nervous or stressed, try taking a breather. Practicing yoga, exercise, noticing good things,
listening to music, meditating, talking to your friends, or learning relaxation techniques are all
good options. Being with others who are battling depression and anxiety too can go a long way
in reducing your sense of isolation. You can also encourage each other, give and receive advice
on how to cope, and share your own experiences. In order to overcome depression and anxiety,
you have to do things that make you happy. This includes following a healthy lifestyle,
developing stress management, setting limits on what you’re able to do, and incorporating lively
activities into your day.
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to identify the coping mechanisms of Senior High School students
regarding their depression and anxiety during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1. What are the situations that make Senior High School students anxious?
2. What are the circumstances during this pandemic that makes Senior High School students
feel depressed?
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3. How do the personal problems of Senior High School students connect with their
depression and anxiety?
4. What are the different coping mechanisms of Senior High School students in terms of
their depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic?
5. How do online classes affect Senior High School students’ depression and anxiety?
6. What are the possible impacts of social media on the depression and anxiety of Senior
High School students?
Assumptions
Based on the questions above, the following assumptions were drawn:
1. Getting low scores, failing a subject or subjects, and the idea of their parents getting
disappointed towards them make Senior High School students anxious.
2. Going outside is forbidden, and they can't do what they're usually doing before the
pandemic. Another condition is the thought of their loved ones getting infected by the
COVID-19.
3. Family problems, relationship problems, and social problems are huge parts of life. They
are personal and can affect a person’s mood and thinking.
4. Paying attention to other things like watching movies, drawing, listening to music, or
exercising. Some students also find comfort by talking to someone they know, cutting off
caffeine, and practicing relaxation techniques.
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5. Due to connection problems, Senior High School students pass important requirements
late. Furthermore, if the tasks are too many, they’re unable to finish on time which
increases their stress levels.
6. Social issues and possible threats of people present on social media platforms impact
one’s mental health.
Conceptual Framework
Significance of the Study
The findings ofthis study will greatly benefit the following:
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Students. This study will expand the students’ knowledge about depression and anxiety.
It will also enlighten them regarding some ways on how to handle these mental health problems.
Teachers. The findings will help teachers further understand the effects of depression
and anxiety on students.
Parents. This study will give awareness or insight to parents in order for them to know
whether their child is suffering from the said mental disorders. Furthermore, it will encourage
parents to support their children in overcoming these.
Future Researchers. This research may serve as a basis or reference if they ever conduct
a similar study. It will provide useful information that future researchers could utilize for
improving their paper’s validity.
Scope and Delimitation
Only Senior High School students, or Grades 11 and 12, are the following respondents of
this research. This study is all about the coping mechanisms of Senior High School students with
their depression and anxiety amidst the pandemic. It aims to know the conditions that cause their
mental health problems, how the students handle these, and the relationship of those disorders
with external factors.
Definition of Terms
To further understand the contents of this study, the following terms are defined.
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Anxiety - is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel
restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress ("Anxiety:
MedlinePlus", 2016).
Coping mechanisms - are the strategies people often use in the face of stress and/or
trauma to help manage painful or difficult emotions("Coping Mechanisms - GoodTherapy.org
Therapy Blog", 2018).
COVID-19 - a mild to severe respiratory illness that is caused by a coronavirus (Severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Beta coronavirus), is transmitted chiefly
by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets) or with objects or surfaces
contaminated by the causative virus, and is characterized especially by fever, cough, and
shortness of breath and may progress to pneumonia and respiratory failure (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary, 2020).
Depression - is a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest, which stops you from
doing your normal activities(betterhealth.vic.gov.au, 2018).
Pandemic - is a disease outbreak that spreads across countries or continents. It affects
more people and takes more lives than an epidemic(Robinson, MD & Social Distancing, 2020).