Republic of the Philippines

City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

A STUDY OF STRESS LEVEL AND COPING MECHANISM

AMONG FILIPINO POST-SURGICAL AMPUTEE

A Thesis
Presented to the
Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences
Taguig City University
Taguig City

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
of Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Agoncillo, Alice Jercielynne A.

Batulan, Shenalyn C.
Lagartera, Sierra Hannah
Tomol, Marlo M.
Villanueva, Manuel Romulo M.
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Life of an amputee is way different from the life of normal people. Having
lost one of the body parts taught amputees a great difference in viewing life.
Moreover, dealing with it also means living a new life as well. Being one of the
amputees sometimes taught us to live our life better. The removal of a limb or
body part intentionally is what we call an amputation. Whether it’s a limb or a toe,
it can be a difficult and painful experience.

There are different reasons for having an amputation done and none of
them are pretty. Going through amputation is one of the most traumatic and
vulnerable experiences that an individual will ever have. Besides, seeing the pain
in the faces of these amputees gives us motivation, courage, drives, and
aspiration through giving them a blast and hearing their voices. They are just
ordinary people as well and should be treated fair. Amputees have faith that they
can overcome this circumstance by facing stressful events like this. However, not
all amputees had some strong spirits to fight. Some amputees are having a hard
time coping with the traumatic experience. Some loss their self-esteem the
moment they lost a body part. It affects function, sensation and body image.

Different people deal with things in different ways, but the researchers are
interested in how they've tried to deal with it. That’s why researchers come up
with this study to know how the amputees deal with their problems along with
how they cope after the stressful event. Furthermore, researchers want to
acknowledge what is the most practiced coping mechanism among amputees.
This topic can also help them handle their emotions after the procedures. Digging
deeper to become more educated about the subject, as well as being mindful of
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

the amputees on how they cope with the changes that come along with. Adapting
the changes that sway their upcoming future, through identifying if they can still
be able to fulfill their dreams and goals as a person. Researchers would also like
to recognize their way of life, on how different it is then, after losing a significant
body part and how they’ve been dealing with their relationship with their friends,
family and even growing with the community. Not only comparing the value of life
and convenience before and after the process but also being able to appreciate
and empathize with their feelings and perception. In addition, the researchers
wish to conduct the study in their community at Taguig City year 2019-2020 that
would be beneficial of course to the people of Taguig.

Empowering these amputees whose lives have been forever changed is

our primary goal. Recently in the news from Manila Bulletin (as cited in Aberia, J.
and Echaluce, C., 2017) hundreds of amputees received free prosthetic limbs
from an international aid organization, Mahaveer Philippines Foundation Inc.
(MPFI) including 14 soldiers who fought in Marawi City for this is not the first time
the foundation has made such a donation to soldiers who lost their limbs
protecting the country. MPFI president Enrique Lim once said, “We owe it to
them”.

The motivation behind the study results from one of the researchers'
personal experience, for almost being a candidate for amputation. Lastly, how
can researchers, as an individual can able to appreciate their life even better and
be grateful that they’re fully blessed more than what they deserve.
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

Background of the Study

The researchers will conduct this study in order to know the Coping
Mechanism among Filipino post-surgical amputees. Being an amputee may feel
less confident about having to re-establish themselves which leads to pressure
such as stress.

“I may have a disability but no one nor nothing can take away my ability”.
– Rindy Moore

According to World Health Organization (WHO) in 2013, 100 people a

week lose a toe foot or lower limb. Around one in twenty people will develop a
foot ulcer in one year. More than one in ten foot ulcers result in the amputation
of a foot or leg. In 2010, about 73,000 non traumatic lower limb amputations
were performed in adults aged 20 years or older.

The literature shows that people with lower limb amputation face many
challenges despite health care provision efforts in various parts of the world.
These challenges range from physical to emotional and psychological matters
and they affect the quality of life of people with lower limb amputation. These
challenges impact on return and integration to the society of origin (as cited in
Aguilar J., 2015)

Coping responses can be problem focused or emotion focused. Problem

focused mechanism referred to actions aimed to eliminate the stress factor or
reduce its impact. Whereas, emotion focused mechanisms involve reducing or
controlling any feelings of distress and frustration caused by the problem.
Moreover, coping mechanisms can be generally characterized as Approach or
Avoidant: Approach Coping is associated with more helpful responses to
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

adversity, including adaptive practical adjustment better physical health
outcomes and more stable emotional responding while Avoidant Coping is
associated with poorer physical health among those with medical conditions.
Compared to Approach Coping, Avoidant Coping is shown to be less effective at
managing stress.
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

Theoretical Framework

The following theories were the basis of the study.

According to Lazarus and Folkman’s Theory of Cognitive Appraisal,

stress is a two-way process; it includes the creation of stressors by the
environment and the reaction of an individual subjected to these stressors (as
cited in Berjot & Gillet, 2011).

In connection with the amputees, depending on how amputee identify the

situation as something that affects them personally, and if so, they will then deal
with the stressors to work out how they can best succeed with the situation and
change undesirable conditions.

Edward Deci and Richard Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory stated that

people can become self-determined when their needs for competence,
connections, and autonomy are satisfied (as cited in Ntoumanis, Edmunds &
Duda, 2009).

Likewise, in the case of the amputees. If this person has a great level of
self-determination, he will acknowledge his weakness, have confidence and
made sure to fix the problem and correct the mistake. On the other hand, if that
same person has lesser self-determination, he might instead look for other things
that he can blame, like making excuses, or refuse to admit their role. Perhaps,
this person won’t feel motivated instead he might feel helpless to control the
situation (as cited in Cherry 2019).
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

According to Bandura, self-efficacy is a person’s belief in one’s capability
to accomplish and do well in a particular situation (as cited in Sunkarapalli,
Fatima & Agarwal, 2016).

This concept supports the variable perceived stress in amputees.

In terms of stress, self-efficacy refers to how you identify yourself in terms

of dealing with stressful events. Similarly, in the case of the amputees, an
increased sense of control of a person may result in decrease negative stress for
the reason that this person has a high self-efficacy level and has control of the
traumatic situation. Conversely, failure to cope with the stress of having low self-
efficacy levels may end up to undesirable feelings toward stressful experiences
(as cited in Sincero 2012).
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

Conceptual Framework

Brief COPE Scale

Survey
Questionnaires and
Perceived Stress
(PROCESS)

Demographic Profile of Perceived Stress and

the Respondent Coping Mechanisms
(INPUT) used by Amputees
(OUTPUT)

Figure 1. The Research Paradigm of the Study

This research is designed to give the readers a brief idea on how this
study works through serious processes of the perceived stress and coping
mechanism of Filipino post-surgical amputees from selected Barangays in
Taguig City.
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the level of stress and coping mechanism of
post-surgical amputee in Taguig City.

Specifically, this aim to answer the following problems:

1. What are the demographic profiles of the respondents?

1.1 Age
1.2 Status
1.3 Gender
2. What are the levels of stress and coping mechanisms of amputee?
3. Is there a significant relationship between the level of stress and coping
mechanism of the amputees?
4. What suggestions/recommendation can be made to help the amputees in
coping with stress?

Hypothesis

The researchers propose the following hypothesis in this study:

Ho- There is no significant relationship between the level of stress and coping
mechanism of the amputees.

Ha- There is a significant relationship between the level of stress and coping
mechanism of the amputees.
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

Scope and Limitation

This study will focus on the perceived stress and coping mechanisms of
Filipino post-surgical amputees.

The researchers will limit the study to 50 respondents who are currently
living in Taguig City. The present study will be conducted year 2019-2020, with
an age-range of 18-60 years old both males and females who underwent
amputation not more than a year. The respondents will purposively gather with
specific criteria thus other people who have certain characteristics that might
affect the study will not be included.

Significance of the Study

The result of this study may be beneficial to the following significant

persons:

To the Amputees, who faced problems and challenges, this study will
help them determine their strengths and weaknesses in coping with stressful
events in their lives. Therefore, this will serve as a guide by applying the effective
coping mechanisms. Moreover, it helps them in guiding their life positively and
righteously despite having multifaceted outcome.

To the Family, Relative, and Friends of the Amputee, who highlighted

as one of the important aspects in their experience, this study will serve as a
guide to developed awareness regarding the basic needs and concerns of the
amputees.
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

To the Medical Staff, this study enables them to have a deep
understanding regarding the experiences of their patients as well as helping them
providing the major needs and concerns of these individuals.

To the Residents of Taguig City, the findings of the study can be

advantageous through raising an awareness on how to cope positively with some
problems and stress in our lives and to prevent maladaptive behavior.

To the Readers, they will be more informed on how perceive stress level
and coping mechanism influence amputees and could use this information in
their own life, if ever they know someone with the same situation.

To the Future Researchers, who are eager to continue this inquiry about
coping mechanisms, it would be a reference for them to obtain additional
understanding about coping mechanisms of amputees. Future researchers will
be willing to examine the content of this study and take this great choice to
conduct a research.

Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined within the context of the study.

Stress – the independent variable/ something that causes strong feelings

of worry produced by problems in life

Coping Mechanism – dependent variable/this is adaptation to

environmental stress
 Republic of the Philippines
City of Taguig
Gen. Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City

Taguig City University

Amputee – the respondents of the study

Taguig City – the place where the study will be conducted