CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Background

A. Introduction

The announcements made by WHO making the COVID 19 a worldwide pandemic creates

tension and fear for everyone. A lot of Filipinos panicked and were disturbed during that

announcement (World Health Organization, 2020). Everyone had difficulty coping up during the

pandemic. As people gradually recover from the damage by the coronavirus disease 2019 or

COVID-19, everyone's life has been altered in some manner. These changes may be seen in the

way individuals interact and go about their everyday activities (World Health Organization -

Europe, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres,

is a global health disaster unlike any other in the United Nations' 75-year history—one that is

spreading human agony, infecting the global economy, and upending people's lives (United

Nations, 2020). Everyone was affected by the pandemic, yet the less fortunate are the most

affected because of the limited movement of people going outside. COVID-19 abruptly acted

and activities our day-to-day life, businesses, world trade, and movements. Identifying the

disease at a preliminary phase is essential in containing the virus's spread, as it travels rapidly

from person to person. Most countries have diminished down their production of commodities

(Jin et. al., 2020). Numerous industries and sectors are affected - by the impact of this infection;

including the pharmaceuticals industry, solar power sector, tourism, information, and electronics

industry. This infection creates significant knock-on effects on the daily life of people.

Anushka Gupta (2020) a senior high school student at Great Neck North High School in

Great Neck, New York, is concerned about returning to school safely this fall. "I hope students
recognize the gravity of the problem and how we all need to work together to ensure that we can

learn in a secure atmosphere," she says. She points out that many high school seniors are unsure

of what their college experience will be like next year, which can be upsetting. As the

coronavirus pandemic expands quickly all through the world, it - general anxiety, worry, and

public concern and especially in certain groups, such as older adults, caregivers, and those with

underlying health concerns. As of September 29th of this current year, the Philippines has

reached 2, 505, 534 cases of COVID19 infection (Department of Health - Philippines, 2021).

The pandemic is escalating simultaneously as the number of Filipinos suffering from mental

illnesses rises (Omengan & Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 2021). Esguera

(2020) reported that at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological, and substance

use disorders. In terms of public mental health, the result of psychological effects up to date has

been increased rates of stress or worry. However, as new measures and their consequences take

effects, such as quarantine and its influence on many people's daily activities, routines, and

livelihoods, levels of loneliness, depression, harmful alcohol, and drug use, and self-harm or

suicide conduct are estimated to increase (World Health Organizations - Europe, 2020). 

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the following economic crisis, has harmed many

people's mental health and created new challenges for individuals who already have mental

illnesses. People may experience anxiety about becoming infected, fear of stigma or isolation,

resource insecurity, self-criticism, and hopelessness during the lockdown, all of which are risk

factors for depression, anxiety, and stress. The aim of this study is to see whether the effects of

COVID-19 affect the students of the National Teachers College mental health during pandemic.

It then moves on to discuss the HUMSS students' coping mechanisms/techniques during

pandemic.
 B. Theoretical Framework

This research was anchored on the Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness (ETL) proposed by

Cacioppo & Cacioppo (2018). This theory explains how people feel when they are lonely. ETL

implies that emotions of loneliness develop and persist over time and that loneliness has

physiological and psychological consequences. According to the ETL, social isolation or

loneliness functions similarly to physical pain as a signaling function. Humans are raised to have

to connect with others to seek and provide protection from potential harm, according to

Cacioppo's ETL. Individuals may experience feelings of loneliness if their need for social

connection is not met. Individuals who become socially isolated are deprived of social

connectedness, which is especially important in a pandemic situation. This is true even when

people voluntarily limit their social contacts, as in the instance of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, seeing others as a potential source of infection and the urge to isolate oneself even

more might lead to maladaptive behaviors like more unusual avoidance behavior. As a result,

lonely people have a terrible perception of social interactions, exacerbated by pandemic

containment measures. Working from home and, if appropriate, home educating have also

changed daily routines to avoid physical interaction.

Conceptual Framework

The IPO Framework will be used by the researchers for the conceptual framework where:

Input consists of the following: the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age,

gender, and family incomes; the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of HUMSS students

in terms of good and bad effects; the possible coping strategies of the HUMSS students; and
 Lastly the significant relationship between the effects of C0VID-19 on the mental health of

HUMSS students and their demographic profile. The process is to employ a survey

questionnaire, which the researchers will use to evaluate the respondents' data once they have

completed the survey, using the necessary statistical treatment to interpret the results. On the

other hand, the output is the Effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of HUMSS students after

the required data has been processed and analyzed.

C. Research Paradigm

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. What is the  Survey
demographic profile of Questionnaire
the students in terms Effects of COVID-19 on the
of;  Statistical Treatment
a. Age of Data mental health of HUMSS
b. Gender  Data Analysis
c. Family Income students
2. What are the effects of
COVID-19 on the
mental health of
HUMSS students in
terms of;
a. Good Effects
b. Bad Effects
3. What are the possible
coping strategies of
the HUMSS students?
4. Is there a significant
relationship between
the effects of C0VID-
19 on the mental
health of HUMSS
students and their
demographic profile?
1.

D. Statement of the Problem

 This study aims to determine the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of HUMSS

Students. Specifically, this study will answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the students in terms of;

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Family Income

2. What are the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of HUMSS students in terms of;

a. Good Effects

b. Bad Effects

3. What are the possible coping strategies of the HUMSS students?

4. Is there a significant relationship between the effects of C0VID-19 on the mental health

of HUMSS students and their demographic profile?

E. Hypothesis of the Study

H1: COVID-19 has an effect on the mental health of the HUMSS students

H2: COVID-19 does not have an effect on the mental health of the HUMSS students

F. Scope and Delimitation

The focus of this study is to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health

of HUMSS students. The participants of this study are a minimum of twenty (20) HUMSS students

from the National Teachers College. This study aimed to know the level of stress which was felt by

the HUMSS students during the pandemic. The research took place within Metro Manila. It was

conducted in May 2022. To get the average feedback, the researchers provided a quantitative
procedure which is a survey through the use of Google Forms. The researchers conducted a survey

in response to the questions stated in the Statement of the Problem. The results of the survey were

assessed, and the average answer was considered the final result of the study.

G. Significance of the Study

The researchers conducted the study to know the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health

of HUMSS students. This study was anticipated to contribute additional information to serve

the following individuals and organizations:

Students. The findings of this study would provide students with adequate information about

their ways of coping with stress as well as the effects on their behaviors and mental being.

Parents. The research is beneficial to parents because it allows them to better understand

why their children are stressed due to the pandemic and might help what tool may be used to

cope up with stress during this pandemic.

Community. This study will give insights into the effect of COVID-19 on the mental health

of the students and why some of the students are stressed with what is going on with their

surroundings.

The Mental Health Institutions and Organizations. To better understand and help on how

to improve resilience and the life chances of students being at risk of mental health problems.

The Mental Health Advocates. Using the findings of this study, communities, and

organizations may be able to better respond to those with mental health problems in this

epidemic, resulting in a mentally healthy society.

Future Researchers. This study can be used as a reference to the one who does similar study

research, especially about COVID-19 and how it affects the mental health/behaviour of

people.

H. Operational Definition of Terms

COVID-19. This refers to SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus that caused the sickness.

(Cennimo, 2021)

Pandemic. A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spreads across countries or continents. It

affects more people and takes more lives than an epidemic. The World Health Organization

(WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic when it became clear that the illness was

severe and that it was spreading quickly over a wide area. (Robinson, J. (2022, April 18)

Senior High Students. Senior High School (SHS) refers to Grades 11 and 12, the last two

years of the K to 12 Basic Education Program. In SHS, students are required to go through a

core curriculum and subjects under a track of their choice. (DepEd, 2016)

Mental Health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to

others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from

childhood and adolescence through adulthood. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

2021)