Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

“In today’s date stress has been an integral part of life because there are many

things which act as a stress catalyst. Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant distress

around the globe. It is not limited to adults only, but stress is increasingly affecting

children of all age groups.” (Yasmin, H., Khalil, S., & Mazhar, R., 2020). Students in

particular are being affected dearly by the stress of our current situation. It affects every

part of life.

Stress is the reaction of one’s body and mind to something that causes a

change in the balance. The level of difficulties inherent in the coursework and exams

may present different stress levels to the students. (Rafidah, Azizah, Norzaidi, Chong,

Salwani & Noraini, 2009, 37). We all know that when the crisis began, all our daily

activities have been affected, especially education sector. Not everyone has been

prepared for this kind of situation. Condition like this affects the general health of

students.

Academic stress related to one's ability to succeed in this new environment is a

specific source of anxiety for students in higher education. While the number of students

enrolled in online courses has expanded in recent years, the majority of students are

still inexperienced with remote learning. According to a recent survey, previous to

COVID-19, just 35% of US college students have completed one or more online

courses (D'Amato, 2020).

 As news spread about students having to go through all this, many students are

now saying that it affects them mentally and emotionally. Cases of students under

pressure are alarmingly high. That is why it is important to know that stressors and how

they are coping with it.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Students in secondary and tertiary education settings face a wide range of

ongoing stressors related to academic demands. Previous research indicates that

academic-related stress can reduce academic achievement, decrease motivation and

increase the risk of school dropout. The ongoing stress relating to education has

demonstrated a negative impact on students’ learning capacity, academic performance,

education and employment attainment, sleep quality and quantity, physical health,

mental health and substance use outcomes. Increasing students’ stress-management

skills and abilities is an important target for change, Pascoe M.C., Hetrick S.E., and

Parker A.G. (2019).

 In our pre-survey at Nova Schola Tanauan with random 35 STEM students

revealed that 85 percent of students currently studying are experiencing mild to severe

forms of stress. 53 percent of them are experiencing cramming where they rush their

works.  When learners are stressed and distracted, it interferes with their ability to

concentrate in class or when studying. Students also might quit school or studies as a

chronic stressor. In a nutshell, stress lowers grades. When we are anxious, it is difficult

for us to concentrate, which leads us to cramming. 

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
 This study is anchored on the Theory of Stress by Lazarus and Folkman (1984),

“psychological stress is a particular relationship between the person and the

environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources

and endangering his or her well-being.” This concept is based on the idea that

emotional processes (including stress) are dependent on actual expectancies that

persons manifest with regard to the significance and outcome of a specific encounter.

This concept is necessary to explain individual differences in quality, intensity, and

duration of an elicited emotion in environments that are objectively equal for different

individuals. The most important factors on the personal side are motivational

dispositions, goals, values, and generalized expectancies. Relevant situational

parameters are predictability, controllability, and imminence of a potentially stressful

event. According to their theory, stress coping implies an intricate process of thinking

and assigning meaning to it. They explained the coping mechanism by the stress cycle

where an individual’s perception of the stressful situation decides how he would cope

with it (Anshel, 1996; Anshel & Weinberg, 1999; Roth & Cohen, 1986).

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to determine how specific factors affects the well -being and

academic performance of the students. Specifically, this study will answer the following

questions:

1. What are the following stressors and its effects on the students?

2. What are the methods that they are applying resolve such stress?

3. Based on the result, what recommendations and suggestions can be worked on?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

 This study is relevant in this time. The problem presented can be observed

worldwide as it affects every student around the world. The study's goal is to investigate

the factors affecting the stress of Grade 12 during the online learning system students.

It comprises concepts that will aid satisfy this research as well as be able to build a

study that will open the minds of the respondents.

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

To the students. For them to know and be aware of the things that stress does

to the quality there of well-being and productivity in school.

To the parents. For them to widen their understanding to know how to help their

children in terms of coping in stressful situations and to be aware of the importance of

giving their children the support that they deserve.

To the teachers. For them to know what are the effects of stressful situation to

their students that they will craft a better method of teaching and giving knowledge

effectively so that they can help their students to hone their talents and skills efficiently.

To the Education Authorities. For them to understand the current situation so

they can conduct more studies and analysis to build a more comprehensive and

inclusive educational curriculum to hone the talents of the students effectively and

efficiently.

To the Future Researchers. For them to have new ideas based on the result of

this study and further continue this study to help improve a better environment for

students to learn and hone their talents.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Stress. A state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in

your life, work, etc.

Anxious. Causing or showing fear or nervousness.

Cope. To deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties.

Pandemic. Occurring over a wide geographic area (such as multiple

countries or continents) and typically affecting a significant proportion of

the population.