Philippine Christian University

Sampaloc 1, Dasmariñas City, Cavite 4114

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
S.Y. 2021-2022

RESEARCH 12 DEPARTMENT
Introduction

Background of the Study

Health has a wide range of context. It is a critical issue that each of us should be
well-versed in. As students face difficulties and challenges, and with illnesses on the
rise, this issue has been widely explored by researchers and practitioners to generate
more health-related studies. Every person's health has a significant impact on their
everyday life, whereas a student's academic performance reflects on the way they live
as well as the state of their thinking. Physical health pertains to an individual's body's
well-being and the normal functioning of their body, which is a typical condition of both
physical and mental health. It is usually defined as your body being free of sickness or
disability, but as healthcare has advanced and people have begun living longer lives
with a variety of diseases, this definition has changed to reflect that perspective.
According to the American Heart Association, physical activity boosts mental wellness.
On the other hand, emotional, psychological, and social well-being fall under the scope
of mental health, which has a great impact on our ideas, emotions, and behaviors. It
also influences how we deal with stress, socialize, and make decisions. It includes a
number of connections between mental health and physical diseases, which all have a
significant impact on people's standard of living, especially on students’ performance in
school.

A study revealed that approximately 75% of young adults aged 18 and above
expressed feelings of despair at some time throughout the year 2019. Teens and young
adults are more prone to suicide thoughts and self-injury during their high school and
college years for a variety of reasons. The academic performance of students is
significant in creating the best quality students who will become outstanding leaders and
manpower for the country's responsible for economic and social development. In recent
years, the physical and mental health of students has been a major issue worldwide.
With the constant increase of problems affecting the academic performance of students
globally, research and studies regarding this topic attract the attention of many
researchers, including health professionals, instructors, and learners. A study by the
Washington State Healthy Youth Survey shows that the more health risks students had,
the more likely they were also at academic risk.

Moreover, people experiencing serious mental health conditions are at risk of

experiencing chronic physical conditions, and physical chronic conditions can result in
developing poor mental health (WHO, 2018). According to the National Alliance on
Mental Illness, 44% of students experience symptoms of depression, 80% of students
feel overwhelmed by academic responsibilities, and 50% have struggled with anxiety.
These mental health issues can hurt your ability to do other things at your own pace.
There are also scenarios that if a student lacks motivation, it will not lead them to take
any actions because a student’s mind stops them from doing something that will affect
their physical health, especially their mental health entirely. Both have a crucial role
when it comes to students’ academic performance, since having a problem with our
physical health can significantly increase our risk of developing mental health problems
and vice versa. Students with poor physical and mental health are more likely to fail
their academics, grade retention, and drop out (Shaw et al., 2015). As well, mental
health issues among adolescents not only cause such problems but also affect their
academic performance (Bas, 2021). Many studies have been conducted to investigate
the link between academic achievement, mental health, and other attributes among
students.

Thus, this study will provide definition and clarity, as well as synthesis reviews to
assess the effects of physical and mental health on the academic performance of Grade
12 STEM students of the Philippine Christian University, Dasmarinas Campus. On this
basis, a pilot experiment at the university was given in this context to the students. The
rest of this paper shows a conceptual overview of how physical and mental well-being
influences Grade 12 students' academic performance through different environments.
The study's descriptive techniques, statistical methods and findings will serve as a
foundation for filling in new gaps for further exploration of the research topic.
Philippine Christian University
Sampaloc 1, Dasmariñas City, Cavite 4114
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
S.Y. 2021-2022

RESEARCH 12 DEPARTMENT