BEING A PLANTITO/PLANTITA: AN EFFECTIVE

STESS COPING MECHANISM AMIDST THE

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

A Research Study

Presented to the Faculty of

Basic Education Department of

Holy Trinity University

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements in

Practical Research 2

By:

Ramos, Jose Lorenzo M.

Ardama, Nikki Ariane
Bello, Lizzel M.
Diwa, Pamela M.
Regal, Anissa Mirah S.
San Pedro, Razel Gay V.
Sobretedo, Jezza F.
Vecina, Dorothy Anne R.
Viguella, Hiezel D.
 i
2020
APPROVAL SHEET

This research entitled “BEING A PANTITO/PLANTITA: AN EFFECTIVE

STRESS COPING MECHANISM AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC” prepared

and submitted by Dorothy Vecina’s group, in fulfillment of the requirements for the

subject Practical Research. It has been examined and recommended for acceptance

and approval for final defense.

MS. JOAN A. GERALDINO

Research Adviser

PANEL OF EXAMINERS

Examined and approved with a grade of ____%

__________________________
CHAIRMAN
____________________ _____________________
MEMBER MEMBER

Accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements in

Practical Research 2

_____________________________________

SR. AILEEN D. SALIGAN, OP.

Principal
ii
 ABSTRACT

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, The researchers would like to express their thanks to Sr. Aileen D.

Saligan O.P of Holy Trinity University for letting us conduct this research and for

supporting us in the said research.

Further, The researchers would like to say a special thank you to our

research adviser, Ms. Joan A. Geraldino. Her support, guidance, and general

insights in this field have made this an exciting experience for us.

The researchers are extremely grateful for your friendly chats at the start of

the meetings and your support in our academic endeavors.

To conclude, The researchers cannot forget to thank their family and

friends for all the unconditional support during this very intense academic year.

iv

DEDICATION

This research study is dedicated to our families who are always there to

support and guide us, to our friends, fellow students, to our teachers. We also

dedicate this to our Almighty God who gives us knowledge, strength, and wisdom.
 v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER

Title Page i

Approval Sheet ii

Abstract iii

Acknowledgement iv

Dedication v

Table of Contents vi

List of Figures viii

List of Tables viii

List of Appendices viii

CHAPTER I- INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 1

Conceptual Framework 2

Research Paradigm 3

Statement of the Problem 4

Assumption 4
 Significance of the Study 5

Scope and Limitation 6

Definition of terms 7

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATUDE AND STUDIES

Local Literature 8

Foreign Literature 9

Local Study 11

Foreign Study 12

CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design 13

Research Instrumentation 13

Research Procedure 14

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE PAGE NUMBER

Figure 1 2

Figure 2 3

LIST OF TABLES

TABLES PAGE NUMBER

Table 1 15

LIST OF APPENDICIES
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Stress is one of the most fundamental problems we face every day, especially

in time of pandemic. Stress is a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes

bodily or mental tension. It can affect our behavior, thoughts, feelings, and mental

health of a person. It affects the way of thinking of a person about the certain things

or situations.

Coronavirus or COVID 19 is a type of virus that infects human typically

leading to an upper failure of the respiratory system. Most people who fall sick with

COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special

treatment. The coronavirus or commonly known as COVID-19 pandemic is defining

global health crisis of our time and one of the greatest challenge that we have faced

since World War Two. But the pandemic is much more than a health crisis, it's also

an unprecedented socio-economic crisis. Stressing every country, it touches.

We have now reached the tragic milestone of one million deaths, and the

human family is now suffering under an almost intolerable burden of loss. So far the

Philippines has 368,000 cases, 313,000 people have recovered and 6,934 have lost

their lives and still increasing.

But this COVID-19 gives everyone an opportunity to be with their family, to

bond and to spend time with them and also to have a rest from their works. It made

people realized that they should have been more close to the Almighty God and to

strengthen their faith to Him because He is the only one who can make everything

back to normal.
 When COVID-19 pandemic hit the whole world, many countries, especially

the Philippines declared community quarantine. Being quarantined at home is hard.

We cannot go to different places like malls, parks and in our workplaces. Some of us

started to discover our new hobbies to fight the boredom. One of them is planting.

We realized that we have developed an interest in plant nursery, even if it is indoor

or outdoor plants. Growing and taking care of plants can ease our stress or anxiety

during this pandemic. It helps us to relieve the pressure and make us happy.

Plants does not only reduce stress but also provide many benefits such as

boosting our mood, help us to be productive, and improve our concentration and

creativity. Also some plants can clean indoor air by absorbing toxins or radiations

that may help in increasing humidity and production of oxygen. It has an aesthetic

value, as they add beauty to the environment and provides a sense of contentment.

During this time plant nursery became a hobby of our aunts and uncles. They

call themselves “plantitos” and “plantitas,” a portmanteau of plant and tito (uncle) or

tita (auntie). These are adults who are now diving into planting and making their

gardens blossom. Planting makes them feel relaxed and also helps fight their

boredom and stress. At home planting has created a big help to find an extra source

of income and to reduce their stress and offers a positive way of thinking.

With the student’s approach to different strategies and ways of thinking this

research will find out what are the importance of being plantito’s and plantita’s in

coping against stress during the pandemic. Is it an effective way in coping with

stress? What are the changes they experience on being plantito’s and plantita’s?
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABLES

CAUSE EFFECT

An effective Stress Coping

Being a Plantito and Plantita in times of
Mechanism Amidst the COVID-19
COVID-19 Pandemic
Pandemic

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

The Effective Stress Coping Mechanism Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic is

influenced by the values and ability of the people who are into plants/planting or

gardening.

In this study, the independent variable is Being a Plantito and Plantita in

times of COVID-19 Pandemic, while the dependent variable is the effective Stress

Coping Mechanism Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 RESEARCH PARADIGM

Input
Process

BEING A
Output
PLANTITO/
DATA
PLANTITA AS THE
GATHERING,
A STRESS EFFECTIVENE
ANALYSIS,
COPING SS OF IT AS A
AND
MECHANISM COPING
RETRIEVAL OF
AMIDST THE MECHANISM
INFORMATION
COVID-19
PANDEMIC

Figure 2. Research Paradigm

The researchers will be conveying a survey to the people with how they are

taking this stress coping mechanism into account. The survey may undergo analysis

and retrieval of information. The result may vary on how the effectiveness of it may

help people in managing stress.

 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The general objective if this study is to determine the impact of being a

Plantito/Plantita in Reducing Stress Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Specially, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the possible effects of engaging in plant nursery?

2. What drive them to become a plantito/plantita?

3. What are their ways in being a Plantito/Plantita that reduces stress?

ASSUMPTIONS

After careful consideration of this study the following assumptions are made:

1. Being a Plantito and Plantita can reduce stress amidst the COVID 19 pandemic.

2. Planting makes time pass easily for Plantito’s and Plantita’s that will keep them

company and forget about their worries.

3. Planting flowers, plants or vegetables is an alternative way of income, especially

today as we face this pandemic.

4. Plant nursery reduces boredom, instead of doing nothing and overthink about the

things that are happening, it is much better to do something worthy like planting.

5. Plantito’s and Plantita’s develops a new hobby or passion towards planting

6. Being a Plantito and Plantita could be a way for friendship to arise to those who

are also into Plant Nursery.

7. Plant Nursery will be source of happiness for them.

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study was conducted to find out the effectiveness of being a

plantito/plantita for coping stress in the middle of coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic

and this research paper would give a good purpose to everyone in the society.

Everyone nowadays are emotionally and mentally imbalance because of the

coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic; they tend to be easily affected by the situation

that is happening and may cause stress or anxiety. Everyone is affected by this

matter; and this serves as a great deficiency to our everyday work.

To the community, this study builds community spirit and unity, educates

communities about the benefits of trees and nature, and positive impact on mental

health and well-being, reducing stress

To the teachers, this study can also be used as a teaching tool, like learning

to care for a living thing, learning responsibility during the care process, and giving

the students a sense of accomplishment when watching the plants grow.

To the Plantito’s and Plantita’s, this study will inform them on the

effectiveness of planting as a coping mechanism in the middle of coronavirus

(COVID 19) pandemic. This research paper would give them knowledge on how

plant nursery could reduce their stress, also this research may promote

environmental consciousness and appreciation. The results will provide information’s

that planting can reduce stress and other specific mental health illness. The given

data would help them understand that plant nursery is a way to cope with stress.

To the students, presence of houseplants in homes can reduce eye irritation

and stress, motivate students, improve concentration, and even reduce air

impurities.
 To the researchers, this study will help them to look at the big picture of how

being a plantito/plantita can reduce and relieve stress not just in the middle of

coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic but also in normal everyday lives.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

SCOPE

The research study entitled “Being a Plantito/Plantita: An effective Stress

Coping Mechanism Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic” wants to know if being a

Plantito/Plantita is an effective stress coping mechanism amidst the COVID-19

Pandemic.

LOCALE

This research study delimited to all Plantito and Plantita from specific individuals in a

community who will be the respondents of the study.

TIME FRAME: This study was conducted on Academic Year 2020.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Aesthetic-  concerned with the study of the mind and emotions in relation to the

sense of beauty.

Alternative- a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities.

Contentment- a state of happiness and satisfaction.

Convey- to lead or conduct.

Coping Mechanism- an adaptation to environmental stress that is based on

conscious or unconscious choice and that enhances control over behavior or gives

psychological comfort.

Humidity- atmospheric moisture.

Intolerable- unable to be endured.

Mental Health-a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional

well-being.

Plantito/Plantita-  a play on words between “plant” + “tita/tito” and used to describe

a person who is into urban gardening.

Portmanteau- a word that combines the form and meaning of two or more other

words; a blend.

Quarantine- a strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease.

Socio-economic- relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and

economic factors.

Stress- a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or

very demanding circumstances.

Tension- mental or emotional strain.

Toxins- any poison produced by an organism.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

FOREIGN LITERATURE

Keeping flowers around the home and in the workplace greatly reduces a

person’s stress levels. Natural aesthetic beauty is soothing to people, and keeping

ornamental flowers around the home environment is an excellent way to lower levels

of stress and anxiety, people who keep flowers in their home feel happier, less

stressed, and more relaxed. As a result of the positive energy they derive from the

environment, the chances of suffering from stress-related depression are decreased

as well. Overall, adding flowers to your home or work environment reduces your

perceived stress levels and makes you feel more relaxed, secure, and happy.

Flowers can help you achieve a more optimistic outlook in your life, bringing you both

pleasing visual stimulation and helping you to increase your perceived happiness.

(Brethour 2007, Collins 2008, Dunnet 2000, Etcoff 2007, Frank 2003, Haviland-

Jones 2005, Hartig 2010, McFarland 2010, Rappe 2005, Waliczek 2000)

LOCAL LITERATURE

As we retreat indoors, more and more people are discovering the joy of

gardening. People are bringing the outdoors inside by growing plants inside their

homes and apartments.

The Journal of Health Psychology noted that gardening is more effective at reducing

stress than reading a book. Meanwhile, the Journal of Public Health reported that

garden work for as little as 30 minutes improved mood and increased self-esteem.
Growing plants is an excellent stress reliever as it can be very rewarding to see your

garden thrive. That explains why so many people have turned to gardening to cope

with home quarantine.

M. Mendoza-Dayrit 2020

FOREIGN STUDY

One group of holistic therapies that aim to treat the whole person and has

been well researched through surveys and randomized trials is so-called green care,

or therapy by exposure to plants and gardening. Several trials have revealed the

beneficial effects on mood and mental health of simply observing nature, or even

images of natural scenes. In a Japanese study, viewing plants altered EEG

recordings and reduced stress, fear, anger and sadness, as well as reducing blood

pressure, pulse rate and muscle tension. Another Japanese study simply found that

it more beneficial physiologically to view a green hedge rather than a concrete fence.

In a pioneering randomized study by the environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich,

views of plants and trees from post-operative wards improved the mood of patients,

and reduced analgesic use, surgical complications and length of stay. Similar

beneficial results have been found for patients undergoing dental treatment, and

viewing natural scenes together with natural sounds improved the experience of

bronchoscopy. Another carefully controlled study showed that viewing sculpture

gardens without any greenery through the windows of an oncology ward caused a

negative reaction in many patients. Even randomly exposing post-operative patients

to pictures of countryside on the walls of their rooms can reduce pain and anxiety,

while, perhaps not surprising to everyone, abstract images increased anxiety. It

would be interesting to study the mental effects of visiting art galleries! Paintings on
the walls of a Swedish psychiatric hospital were often vandalized, but only if they

were of abstract images, not if they were landscapes. The charity MIND compared

short walks through a garden with walks in a shopping complex, and showed that the

former improved mental health, whereas the latter made it worse. In a prison in

Michigan, residents who had a view of the countryside from their cells used the

prison medical services less than those with an internal courtyard view.

In another randomized experiment, when post-operative patients were

exposed to eight different species of indoor plants, both pain and length of stay were

once again reduced and patients’ satisfaction with their hospital rooms was

improved. Exposing pictures of flowers in the dictator game, which is an economic

game that questions whether individuals are solely driven by self-interest, can

change the decisions made by the players. In another study, putting plants in a

computer room improved productivity and lowered blood pressure. Indoor gardening

has been used to treat patients with mental health problems. It is not only the

appearance of plants that is beneficial: their leaves remove toxins, dust and

microorganisms from the air and they also produce the so-called negative ions from

their leaves. The overall evidence that charged ions affect mood is, however,

unconvincing, despite advertisements strongly recommending their benefits.

Many studies in the UK and other countries concur that higher proportions of

green space, especially biodiverse habitats, are associated with less depression,

anxiety and stress, even after controlling for potential confounding factors such as

deprivation. In Japan, green space has been linked with increased longevity.

Exposure to green space seems to reduce health inequalities related to deprivation,

but associations are not proof of an hypothesis and a few studies have disagreed. In

reality, studies such as these suffer from embedded residual confounding

correlations between green space and higher income, better housing, and healthier

lifestyles (such as less smoking), which can be difficult to disentangle. Interestingly,

the benefit of green space may not be simply related to physical activity, but might

rely more on improved social interaction

Thompson R. (2018)

LOCAL STUDY

The stress profile of students in the College of Dentistry of the University of

the Philippines, Manila. The study involved 149 dentistry student-respondents.

Academic stressors like examinations and grades, fully loaded days, difficulty in

completing clinical requirements, and fear of getting delayed topped the identified

stressors. Academic factors were stressful in the first 3 year levels. Academic stress

peaked during the sophomore year. No significant differences in rankings were

observed between genders. There was undeniable similarity in the general stress

profile of the different year levels. Common methods of coping with stress were

employed by students which include crying, praying, talking, watching movies, and

listening to music. Stress makes or breaks a person. It is like a two-edged sword

which can either motivate or stimulate a student to peak Grandea (2006) used a

descriptive research approach in studying the stress and coping mechanism of

college freshmen of Southville International School and Colleges. It involved 201

student-respondents. The student respondents experienced high perceived stress.

The identified main stressors were academics. The student-respondents used

positive stress coping mechanism. The perceived stress and coping mechanisms of

the student-respondents were independent of their profile.

Salvacion (2004)
 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN

RESEARCH DESIGN

This research entitled “Being a Plantito/Plantita: An Effective Stress Coping

Mechanism Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic” used descriptive method wherein any

information will be gathered using the questionnaires and online surveying method

with the aid of the study guide.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION

The researchers will be using survey questionnaires in gathering data for the

study. The questionnaires will be distributed to the respondents in a specific

community.

RESEARCH PROCEDURE

The researchers will be gathering the data through the questionnaires that

they distributed using online surveying method to the specific individuals in a

community who will be the respondents of the study.

SAMPLING METHOD

Random was used in selecting the respondents. It is the ease of assembling

the sample. It is also considered as a fair way if selecting a sample from a given

population since every member is given equal opportunities of being selected.

 BEING A PLANTITO/PLANTITA: AN EFFECTIVE

STESS COPING MECHANISM AMIDST THE

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: ________________________
Age: _______
Sex: _______
Currently living at: ___________________________

A. Instructions: Please read the statement and answer honestly: Use check mark
(✓) to indicate if you Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Strongly Disagree (SD),
Disagree (D) and Undecided (U).

(SA)- Strongly Agree

(A)- Agree
(SD)- Strongly Disagree
(D)- Disagree
(U)- Undecided

Statement SA A SD D U

Planting gives me energy and help me to relax.

Plant nursery helps me in reducing my stress.

I feel happier after I engaged myself in planting

activities.
Planting makes me lively and active.

Planting gives me peace of mind.

Planting sometimes give me headache.

Plant nursery makes me tiresome.

Others:
Please Specify___________________
B. Instructions: Please Check as many box as you can among the given choices
below on which of the statements impacted you in being a plantito/plantita.
Friend Self-Satisfaction

Family Stress

Curiosity Business

Popularity Others Please Specify: __________

C. Instructions: Please check as many boxes as you can that you can relate about
on the different ways of planting that helps you to reduce stress.

keeping plants in my house or indoors

Seeing new leaflets grow

Being around with plants

Watering plants
Obtaining different variety of plants

Sharing knowledge about my own plants.

Re-potting plants or transferring new grown plants

Others:
Please Specify________________
CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: LIzzel M. Bello

Birthday: November 26, 2002

Age: 17

Address: Brgy. San Pedro Hagedorn Blck. 10

Parents Information
Father’s name: Manolito R. Bello

Occupation: Foreman

Mother’s name: Susan M. Bello

Occupation: Casual Employee

Educational background
Primary: Bonobono Bataraza Elamentary School

Elementary: Bonobono Bataraza Elementary School

Secondary (Junior High School) : Bataraza National High School

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University
CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: Pamela M. Diwa

Birthday: March 14, 2003

Age: 17

Address: Brgy. San Jose PPC

Parents Information
Father’s name: Renelito M. Diwa

Occupation: Coordinator

Mother’s name: Roselyn M. Diwa

Occupation: Teacher

Educational background
Primary: None

Elementary: New Guinlo Elementary School

Secondary (Junior High School) : New Guinlo National High School

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: Dorothy Anne R. Vecina

Birthday: August 7, 2002

Age: 18

Address: Brgy. San Pedro, Libis Road, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Parents Information
Father’s name: Bonifacio L. Vecina (Deceased)

Occupation: None

Mother’s name: Leonora R. Vecina

Occupation: Housewife

Educational background
Primary: Koronadal Academy

Elementary: Tampakan SPED Center

Secondary (Junior High School) : Tampakan National High School

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: Anissa MIras S. Regal

Birthday: October 25, 2002

Age: 18

Address: 93A-General Luna St., Brgy. Matiyaga Puerto Princesa City

Parents Information
Father’s name: Jommel C. Regal

Occupation: Government Employee (BUCOR)

Mother’s name: Neriza S. Regal

Occupation: Private Employee (PALECO)

Educational background
Primary: Salve Regina School

Elementary: Salve Regina School

Secondary (Junior High School) : Salve Regina School of Palawan Inc.

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: Hiezel D. Viguella

Birthday: April 4, 2003

Age: 17

Address: Brgy. Manamoc, Cuyo, Palawan

Parents Information
Father’s name: Gilbert A. Viguella

Occupation: Farmer

Mother’s name: Jeanith D. Viguella

Occupation: Housewife

Educational background
Primary: Manamoc Elementary School

Elementary: Manamoc Elementary School

Secondary (Junior High School) : Manamoc National High School

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: Jose Lorenzo M. Ramos

Birthday: October 4, 2002

Age: 18

Address: Poblacion Quezon Palawan Brgy. Alfonso XII

Parents Information
Father’s name: Joselito A. Ramos

Occupation: Government Employee

Mother’s name: Ma. Teresa M. Ramos

Occupation: Teacher

Educational background
Primary: Quezon Central School

Elementary: Quezon Central School

Secondary (Junior High School) : Quezon National High School

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: Jezza F. Sobretodo

Birthday: January 12, 2003

Age: 17

Address: Malvar St. Brgy. Maligaya Puerto Princesa City Palawan

Parents Information
Father’s name: Joaquin D. Sobretodo Jr.

Occupation: Farmer

Mother’s name: Sonia F. Sobretodo

Occupation: Housewife

Educational background
Primary: Shining Star Day Care Center

Elementary: Guilingan Elementary School

Secondary (Junior High School) : Holy Trinity University

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: Nikki Ariane G. Ardama

Birthday: July 1, 2002

Age: 18

Address: Bm Road Brgy. San Manuel Puerto Princesa City Palawan

Parents Information
Father’s name: George Ardama

Occupation: Driver

Mother’s name: Emily Ardama

Occupation: Housewife

Educational background
Primary: Angel’s World Academy

Elementary: Holy Trinity University

Secondary (Junior High School) : Holy Trinity University

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Information
Name: Razel Gay V. San Pedro

Birthday: August 7, 2002

Age: 18

Address: Caramay, Roxas,Palawan

Parents Information
Father’s name: Rolando P. San Pedro

Occupation: Farmer

Mother’s name: Merlinda V. San Pedro

Occupation: Bible Woman

Educational background
Primary: Caramay Baptist School

Elementary: Caramay Elementary School

Secondary (Junior High School) : Francisco Lagan Sr. Memorial High School

(Senior High School) : Holy Trinity University