THE OF MAASIN

Nisi Dominus Frustra

Tunga-Tunga, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Philippines

PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL LIVED EXPERIENCES

OF PERSONS INFECTED WITH COVID-19

A Thesis Proposal Presented

to the Faculty of the College of

Nursing & Allied Health Sciences

The College of Maasin

Maasin City, Southern Leyte

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

By:

Albon, Marian Aubrey F.

Gomez, Joeffill M.

Padillo, Paula Marie A.

Romero, Clare Joyce

Urgel, Ruth Ann

Villamor, Frank S.

MAY 2024
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter

I. THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Statement of the Problem

Theoretical Background

Conceptual Background

Research Flow Chart

Scope and Limitation

Significance of the Study

Definition of Terms

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Conceptual Literature

Research Literature

Synthesis

III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Research Environment

Research Sampling

Research Respondents

Research Instrument
Data Gathering Procedure

Method of Interpretation

Role of the Researchers

Method of Verification

Ethical Consideration

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

Transmittal Letter

Research Instrument/ Tool

Bibliography
 Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter includes introduction, theoretical framework, and statement

of the problem, hypothesis, scope and limitation, conceptual framework,

significance of the study and the definition of terms used.

Introduction

Discussions regarding COVID-19 have dominated research in recent years.

The existential thoughts revolved around questions such as “why me?” and “it
simply cannot be true!”, it was hard to believe that it was really happening, and it
might feel like a dream. Its emergence brought life’s existential questions to the
test, as it suddenly became very present in the people’s awareness. An invisible
enemy in the naked eye, this pandemic is the epicenter that caused myriad of
changes on a global scale. It is one of the most life-changing events that
countries have faced as this highly infectious disease shows no respect for
geographical boundaries.

The pandemic has caused numerous of physical and psychological effects

among those who were infected. Most people infected with the virus will
experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring
special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical
attention. Children, older people, and those with underlying medical conditions
like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are
more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and
become seriously ill or die at any age. 

Specifically, the physical effects of this virus can vary in each person. Some
causes to have flu-like symptoms that typically shows 5 to 6 days from when
someone is infected with the virus, however it can take up to 14 days. The
common symptoms include fever, colds, headache, loss of smell and taste,

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cough, stomachache or diarrhea, sore throat, and fatigue. More serious
symptoms and emergency warning signs include trouble or difficulty in breathing,
persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay
awake, pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin
tone.

Similarly, like the physical effects of the virus, its psychological effects also
vary from each person. Relative to our mental capacity on management of
stress, psychological experience of COVID-19 infected persons gradually change
their attitude toward the disease. Like how a child and an adult manage a
situation, the impact of the virus on psychological well-being hits different on
every individual, except there is no “child” in the child-adult situation. Simply put,
it is the perspective of a person that greatly influences the psychological
response on the stressor which is the virus. Negative emotions dominate during
the early stages but gradually gave way to mixed positive and negative emotions
at later stages. There is an issue on adjusting to the role change between healthy
person and patient, and that the psychological distress caused by COVID-19 to
survivors is widespread, persistent, and random.

There are some elements related to the pandemic that affects not only the
individual psychological well-being, but also groups such as families and friends.
The separation from loved ones, loss of freedom, uncertainty about the
advancement of the disease, and the feeling of helplessness are some of the few
important issues that need to be addressed. As reported in a recent survey
administered during the Covid-19 pandemic, children and young adults are
particularly at risk of developing anxious symptoms. The Covid-19 pandemic led
to a prolonged exposure to stress. The security measures adopted in managing
the pandemic had different consequences on individuals, according to the social
role invested. Some segments of the population seem to be more exposed to the
risk of anxious, depressive, and post-traumatic symptoms because they are more
sensitive to stress (Saladino, 2020).

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 Stigma can make people feel isolated and even abandoned. They make you
feel depressed, hurt, and angry when friends and others in their community avoid
them for fear of getting COVID-19. Stigma harms people’s health and well-being
in many ways. People who have experiences stigma related to COVID-19 include
people of Asian descent, health care workers, people with COVID-19 and those
released from quarantine. They may be excluded or shunned, treated differently,
denied job and educational opportunities, and be targets of verbal, emotional and
physical abuse (Mayoclinic, 2020).

Exploring further about the physical and psychological experiences of people

affected by COVID-19 may lead to more understanding of the disease. Whether
it has scientific or societal relevance to the researchers, respondents, and other
involved participants, it helps build understanding and fill the gaps with essential
information. As there is no in-depth research regarding the topic on selected
areas and related subjects, the researchers are eager to take action to help not
only themselves, but also the selected community and other communities that
needs help in knowing the importance of taking the pandemic seriously.

Hence, the researchers are interested to evaluate the physical and

psychological experiences of selected COVID-19 survivor to gather data and
emphasize recognition of the effects of COVID-19 to the people. This will be
beneficial to uplift an advocacy towards COVID-19 prevention as increased
attention might help in managing the current situation and other possible
epidemics and pandemics.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to assess the lived experiences of the respondents’ physical

and psychological effects as they were infected with COVID-19. Specifically, the

study seeks to answer the following questions:

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1. What is sociodemographic profile of the respondents, in terms of:

1.1 Age;

1.2 Sex;

1.3 Occupation;

1.4 Socioeconomic Status (monthly income);

1.5 Religion;

1.6 Civil Status;

1.7 Co-morbidity/ Morbidities;

1.8 Educational attainment?

2. What is the psychographic profile of the respondents? in terms of:

2.1 Personality and Attitude;

2.2 Lifestyle;

2.3 Interests;

2.4 Beliefs/Values/Opinions?

3. What are the lived experiences of the respondents in the course of their

infection, in terms of:

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 3.1 Physical and;

3.2 Psychological aspect?

4. How did the respondents adapt with the lived experiences?

5. What action plan could be formulated based on the results of the study?

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Theoretical Background

The researchers will utilize Sister Calista Roy’s nursing theory entitled

Adaptation Theory. Roy’s Adaptation Model (RAM) is representative of a

grand nursing theory which conceptual framework is focused on the

interconnected, holistic individual and a person’s interaction with the

environment. Its aim of nursing is to increase compliance and life

expectancy. This model evaluates the patient in physiologic mode, self-

concept mode, role function mode and interdependence mode aiming to

provide holistic care. It is relative to the study about the physical and

psychological effects of COVID-19 and will help the researchers develop

effective strategies on what to find, adjust, and manage throughout the

project (Jennings, 2017).

Person as an Adaptive System

Input Processors Effectors Output

Adaptation Coping Physiological Adaptive /

Mechanism: Ineffective
Stimuli Self- concept
Responses
Cognator
Level Role- Function
Regulator

Feedback

Figure 1. THEORETICAL SCHEMA OF ROY’S ADAPTATION MODEL

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 According to Roy’s model, a person is bio-psycho-social being in

constant interaction with a changing environment. An individual uses innate

and acquires mechanisms to adapt. The model includes people as individual,

as well as in groups such as families, organizations, and communities. This

also include society as a whole (Roy,1976). The Adaptation Model states

that health is an inevitable dimension of a person’s life and represented by a

health-illness continuum. Health is also described as a state and process of

being and becoming integrated and whole (Roy, 1976). The environment

(stimuli) has three components; focal, which is internal or external and

immediately confronts the person contextual, which is all stimuli present in

the situation that all contribute to the effect of the focal stimulus; and

residual, which effects in the current situation are unclear (Petiprin, 2020). All

conditions, circumstances and influences surrounding and affecting the

development and behavior of people and groups with particular

consideration of mutuality of person and earth resources, including focal,

contextual and residual stimuli (Roy, 1976). The goal of nursing is to

enhance life processes to promote adaptation, with adaptation being the

process and outcome of thinking and feeling individuals who use conscious

awareness and choice to create human and environmental integration (Roy,

1976).

The model includes two subsystems, as well. The cogitator subsystem is

a major coping process involving four cognitive emotive channels: perceptual

and information processing, learning, judgment, and emotion. The regulator

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subsystem is a basic type of adaptive process that responds automatically

through neural, chemical, and endocrine coping channels (Afaf, 1997). The

four modes of adaptation defined in Roy Adaptation Model are physiologic,

self-concept, role function and interdependence modes. Nurses help to meet

the needs of individuals in these modes of adaptation.

The physiologic mode is associated with the physical answers of the

person, given to stimuli from the environment. It includes the physical and

chemical processes within an individual's life and activities. Physiologic

mode requirements are based on physiologic integrity. This mode consists of

nine basic physiologic requirements: 1) Oxygenation, 2) Nutrition, 3)

Elimination, 4) Activity and Rest, 5) Protection, 6) Senses, 7) Fluid

Electrolyte and Acid-Base Balance, Neurologic function and 9) Endocrine

function. Physiological integrity is an essential requirement for physiologic

mode. The self-concept mode is defined as the individual's mixture of beliefs

and feelings about himself or others at a certain time. The self-concept mode

consists of the physical self and personal identity. Physical self contains

body image and body sense. Personal identity is formed by their thoughts,

moral-ethics and spirituality. The role function mode covers the individual's

role in society for social integrity. The roles described herein are divided into

three: 1. primary roles; the role of gender (female, male), 2. secondary roles;

different roles (mother, father, teacher, etc.), and 3. tertiary roles (president

of an association, etc.). The basic requirement for role function mode is

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defined as social integrity. The interdependence mode includes relationships

with others that are meaningful to the person, and support systems.

For the individual, this mode focuses on interactions related to love,

respect, giving and receiving value. The basic requirement of this area is the

creation of a sense of confidence by relationship integrity and improvement

of relationships (Ursavas et al.. 2014). This Roy's Adaptation Model theory of

Sister Callista Roy is fit for this study as it addresses human beings as

holistic adaptive systems that constantly change and interact with their

environment. Similar to any complex adaptive system, a COVID-19 patient is

able to cope or has a defense mechanism which allows a person to be able

to adjust to the unpleasant situation one is in (Ursavas et al., 2014). The

inputs of the stimuli were the stress. The stimuli being acknowledged, the

two subsystems, the cognator and regulator start the coping process. The

goal of nursing is to promote adaptive responses in relation to four (4)

adaptive modes, using information about person's adaptation level, and

various stimuli.

Callista Roy's Adaptation theory applied to this research study was

through the consideration of the four (4) adaptive modes. The physiologic

mode which are consist of the nine basic physiologic needs, as mentioned

above, are vital in a COVID-19 patient’s life and should be maintained in

homeostasis to be able to carry out one's functions accordingly. The self-

concept mode can be applied in how a COVID-19 patients views about one's

self. Family, friends, colleagues, pets and most especially God Almighty are

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 the sources of one's strength. It can be applied by how COVID-19 patients

draw inspiration and will to be able to go on with each chapter of their lives

without giving up and breaking down.

Conceptual Framework

INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT
VARIABLE
VARIABLE

Infection of COVID- Lived Experiences

19 of person infected
with COVID-19

INTERVENING

VARIABLES

SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC

PROFILE:

Age, Occupation, Sex,

Socioeconomic status, Co-
morbidities, Educational
Attainment, Civil status, Religion

PSYCHOGRAPHIC:

Personality, Attitudes, Interests,

Lifestyles, Beliefs/ Values/
Opinions

Figure 2. Conceptual Framework of Study

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 The diagram above shows the conceptual framework of the study, consisting

of three different variables. The independent variable is the infection to COVID-

19. The intervening variables are the sociodemographic and psychographic

profile of the respondents.

For sociodemographic, this includes: age, sex, socioeconomic, and

occupation.

The age of the respondents will be included as it has already been confirmed

through various literature that it it affects a person’s lived experience. As Aldwin

(1990), states in the journal "Age Differences in Stress, Coping, and Appraisal:

Findings from the Normative Aging Study", coping up with stress is affected by

multiple factors. One of it is age; As people grow older, their life experiences also

grow. Having to face number of difficulties allows older individuals to deal and

cope up with stress better compared to younger individuals who have lesser life

experiences.

The gender or sex of the respondent is included in this study to know how

each gender differs in coping to stress. Findings from epidemiological studies

have repeatedly shown a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression

diagnoses in women compared with men. These studies indicate that the

female-to-male ratio is approximately 2:1 or greater for several anxiety disorders

(i.e., panic disorder, agoraphobia without panic disorder, specific phobias,

generalized anxiety disorder) and for major depression (Gater 1998). Several

accounts of sex differences in depression and anxiety maintain that differences

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in how women and men respond to stress may be an underlying mechanism that

contributes to observed sex differences in the development and clinical

presentation of anxiety and depressive disorders (Hammen, 2005).

More specifically, robust research findings suggest that sex differences in the

use of coping styles in response to stress are salient and contributing factors in

the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression in women (Hoeksema et al., 1999).

Occupation is an intervening variable because requiring more people to

come to a workplace is likely to increase the risk of transmission associated with

that workplace. People attending the workplace while unwell (more likely if not

provided with sick leave or financial compensation) increases the risk of

transmission in the workplace. Occupations which involve a higher degree of

physical proximity to others over longer periods of time tend to have higher

COVID-19 infection and mortality rates (“COVID-19 Risk by Occupation and

Workplace”, 2021).

Socioeconomic status has been associated with the prevalence of COVID-19

cases across the country. Lockdowns, or community quarantine, have been

imposed throughout the country since March 15 as a measure to limit the spread

of the virus (Olanday & Rigby, 2020). The outcomes presented that households

are less likely to be affected or the impact of COVID-19 on non-poor households

is lower as compared to households that are poor with lower income earning.

Similarly, Ndirangu (2020) argued that in the case of developing economies,

people living in low-income households face dual misfortunes: income-

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generating difficulties and vulnerability to socio-economics crises. Likewise,

Jalan & Ravallion also argues that households with higher income earnings have

greater access and a broader asset base to insurance and credit services, which

will help cushion them against the effects of an external shock, like COVID-19.

The chances of falling back into the poverty of a poor household are significantly

higher than the non-poor household, which suggests that the numbers of new

poor as mentioned in recent articles are estimated to increase more due to the

pandemic further. Adler & Snibble argue that in comparison to households with

lower income earnings, higher income earning households have better access to

health care, housing, knowledge, and nutrition (Rahman 2021).

Educational attainment is important because by logic of reasoning: more

years of schooling means and individual will become more highly skilled and

productive, leading to higher output of goods and services and eventually a

stronger economy (Barro & Lee, 2001). There is possibility that less educated

people are more likely to be socioeconomically disadvantaged and to have an

increased risk of COVID-19 transmission due to poor housing, overcrowding,

and low-paid essential jobs that make social distancing more challenging. As a

result of higher COVID-19 incidence, they may have a higher risk of COVID-19

severity. Ascertainment bias could also arise due to differential healthcare

seeking, differential testing, and differential prognosis.

While in the psychographic variables, this includes: Personality, Values,

Opinions, Attitudes, Interests, Lifestyles, and Beliefs. The ability to cope,

response, recover and adapt to the pandemic and its social and economic

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consequences varies across population subgroups as well as institutional and

geographical contexts.

Growing evidence suggests that personality also plays an important role. In

particular, individuals with more extrovert and open personalities – especially

women and ethnic minorities – suffered greater declines in their mental health

during the pandemic. Those with more agreeable personalities have been less

affected in comparison. Individuals with more neurotic personalities, who are

typically more likely to suffer depression, do not seem to have experienced

particularly severe mental health deterioration. Higher neuroticism and lower

agreeableness scores were associated with more distress and negative

behaviors due to COVID-19. Also, neuroticism, extraversion, and agreeableness

were the major personality factors that predict COVID-19 impacts on participants'

concerns and fears (PROTO, 2021).

A study on changes of lifestyle brought by the pandemic showed that there

was a significant decline in physical and other meaningful activities, including

activities of daily living, leisure, social activity, and education. These activities are

essential to increase awareness for prevention and management of COVID-19

and help progress character development. Participants reported that their quality

of life and mental health had decreased after the pandemic struck (Park,2020).

Beliefs and, more generally, risk perceptions are rather challenging to

evaluate, especially for a new disease such as COVID-19. First, risk perceptions

are threat-specific most of the time and incorporate different kinds of information

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through deliberative, affective and experiential processes. In case of a new

disease, the amount of available information, whenever it is publicized

numerically or derived from personal experience, is limited. Second, the range of

available methods to elicit beliefs is restricted, respondents became more

pessimistic about their own risk to catch the disease and more optimistic

regarding the expected prevalence. (Carman and Kooreman,2020)

More specifically, a person’s culture affects his perspective on the pandemic.

In religion, an athiest could find solutions purely based on science and focus on

the prevention of the virus, while a religous person, not all but some, could be

possibly be more prone to the disease as they rely on their beliefs that an entity

would protect them from any harm.

The lived experiences of persons infected with COVID-19 is considered as

the dependent variable. The answers and results greatly depends on the

perspective of the respondents.

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Research Flowchart

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Physical and  Sought permission from the Action Plan

Dean of the College of
Psychological Nursing and Allied Health
Science.
Lived Experiences
 Submit transmittal letter
of person infected approved by the Dean of the
College of Nursing and
with Covid-19 Allied Health Sciences to the
School President of The
College of Maasin.
 Submitted Transmittal letter
to The College of Maasin-
Instituitional Ethics Review
Board.
 Submitted transmittal letter
to the LGU of Bato, Leyte
 Explained the purpose of the
study and its ethical
consideration
 Acquired informed consent
from the respondents
 Started the interview
process through face-to-face
interaction
 Gathered and analyze all
data for interpretation.

The flowchart above shows how the researchers conducted the study

with the aim of deeper understanding of the lived experiences of persons

16
 infected with COVID-19. First, the researchers will seek permission from the

Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and then will

submit the transmittal letter to the School President of The College of

Maasin. After that, the researchers will submit the transmittal letter to The

College of Maasin-Institutional Ethics Review Board, and to the Local

Government Unit of Bato, Leyte for the researchers to gain access to the

respondents. Before the interview will start, the researchers will explain the

purpose of the study and its ethical considerations and will acquire an

informed consent from the respondents. The researchers will start the

interview process by face-to-face approach.. After the interview process, the

researchers will gather and analyze all data for interpretation. After

interpreting the data, the researchers will be able to formulate a conclusion

and have had recommendations based on the results of the study and will

formulate an action plan to help solve the problems encountered by the

subjects.

Scope and Limitation

The study aims to determine the physical and psychological lived

experiences of persons infected with COVID-19. This study will be

conducted in Bato, Leyte with the Barangay with the highest rate of infection

which shall be determined per recommendation of the Municipal Health

Officer. Data collection will end upon data saturation.

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 The respondents shall be chosen among the following inclusion criteria:

(1) young adults aging 18-40 years old; (2) those who were isolated in the

local quarantine facilities between March to December 2021; (3) whether

asymptomatic or symptomatic; (4) tested positive for COVID-19.

The study will be conducted from August 2021 to May 2022. The study

will utilize a qualitative research design in a phenomenological tradition.

Minimum health care protocols will be observe in conduct of the interview

and privacy of the respondents during conducting an interview.

Significance of the Study

The study will provide a view about the physical and psychological lived

experiences of persons infected with COVID-19. The study intends to benefit

the following:

Individuals

The study will benefit different individuals in a way that they will further

understand the experiences of those who were already infected with COVID-

19. They will further realize that it is not easy to get infected with the said

disease. Hence, upon realizing, they may be able to strictly follow the

recommended mitigating measures placed by the authority to decrease the

likelihood of infection.

Health Care Providers

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 The study will be giving them a cognizance on the physical and

psychological experiences of a Covid-19 positive patient encounters during

their isolation period on the specific type of quarantine facility. Furthermore,

health care providers would be more aware of the experiences faced by

people infected with the disease so that they may be more understanding

and compassionate for the others whom they will be taking care in the future.

Local Government Unit

The study will be advantageous for the municipality, for they will able to

give incomparable and action-oriented services to the covid-19 positive

patient as they will isolate themselves in the isolation facility. Upon knowing

and understanding the experiences of people infected with COVID-19, they

will develop better programs as well as enhanced approaches in the care of

those who are still infected.

Researchers

This study will serve as future reference for researchers who would like

to undertake a similar study. They can apply and utilize the findings of this

research to their future study and will provide a more in-depth understanding

of the lived experiences of persons infected with COVID-19.

Definition and Terms

To facilitate better understanding of the important terms used in the

study, the following terms are operationally defined.

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Isolation It defined as separates sick people

with a contagious disease from

people who are not sick.

Isolation Facilities

Infection

Lived Experiences It refers to a representation of the

experiences and choices of a given

person, and the knowledge that they

gain from these experiences and

choices.

Psychological Experiences It is mark off as a particular incident

or feeling that a person has

undergone through his/her point of

view.

Physical Experiences It defined as a special awareness first

and then about other physical objects

or locations later in life. Specifically

relating to bodily and environmental

experiences.

Stigma It is determined as a set of negative

an often unfair belief that a society or

group of people have about

something.

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 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The review of literature is a detailed review of existing literature related to the

topic of a study. In a review of related literature, the researcher talks about

knowledge and findings from existing literature relevant to the topic.

Conceptual literature

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a substantial health

burden that has major implications for public health globally. COVID-19 is a

pneumonia-like disease caused by a novel coronavirus that emerged in the

province of Wuhan in China in November 2019 (Labrague & De los Santos,

2020)

On December 30, 2019 the Coronavirus disease outbreak (COVID 19) was

first reported at Wuhan, China. Initially, the new illness was named SARS-CoV-2

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and on February 11, 2020 it was officially named by the World Health

Organization as COVID-19. The epidemic in China was not contained as it

spread worldwide causing threats to both health and economy of every nation.

The first case in the Philippines was identified on January 30, 2020 involving

a 38 year old Chinese woman who was confined at San Lazaro Hospital in Metro

Manila. On February 1, 2020, a posthumous test result from a 44-year old

Chines man turned out positive for virus, making the Philippines the first country

outside China to record a confirmed death from the disease. After over a month

without recording any cases. The Philippines confirmed its first local

transmission on March 7 (Cable news Network Philippines, 2020).

As of January 27, 2021, there have been 518,407 confirmed cases of the

diseases in the Philippines. Out of these cases, 475,542 recoveries and 10,481

deaths were recorded. It has 2 nd highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases

in Southeast Asia (after Indonesia), and ranks 10 th in asia and 32nd in the world

(Department of Health)

After over a month without recording any cases, the Philippines confirmed its

first local transmission on March 7, 2020. Since then, the virus has spread to the

country’s 81 provinces. National and local governments have been imposing

community quarantines since March 15, 2020, as a measure to limit the spread

of the virus.

Physical sign of symptoms includes insomnia, tiredness, throat pain, and

headaches. Working during COVID-19 pandemic also seemed to influence the

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social lives of the respondents. The survey by Petzold et al. (2020) indicated that

patients that working outside were often concerned about becoming socially

isolated and being separated from their family (Chew et al., 2020)

In addition most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, dyspnea,

chest pain, fatigue and myalgia and the less common symptoms include

headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

headache, hemoptysis, abdominal pain, and diarrhea .

However, not everyone who gets COVID-19 will develop a fever.

Coronavirus can affect the upper respiratory system (nose, sinuses and throat)

with flu-like symptoms, the lower respiratory system (airways and lungs) by

causing cough with or without mucous and difficulty breathing. When COVID-19

is severe it can bring on pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome

(ARDS) (National Jewish Health).

Quarantined individuals after their COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed, they

experienced desperate and uncertain times during treatment the individuals

expressed shock and dissatisfaction due to an excessive invasion of privacy

during the quarantine process and in the quarantine system. As confirmed

COVID-19 cases, the individual’s experienced social stigma and feelings of guilt,

negative attitudes from others and society, and negative influences from social

networking services and the media. The individuals also experienced mental and

physical difficulties due to COVID-19 symptoms. However, they rediscovered

meaningful relationships through the support of their family and friends in the

23
midst of adversity. It is necessary to provide an integrated psychosocial

rehabilitation program to reduce social stigma and improve the resilience of

COVID-19 patients (Mi-son et al., 2021).

Research Literature

According to Sahoo S., et al., (2020) in his study titled “Lived Experiences of

the corona survivors” that COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a disaster for

the human being. All the governments across the globe and been preparing to

deal with this medical emergency, which is known to be associated with mortality

in about 5% of the suffers. The researcher had seen that many patients with

COVID-19 infection have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. Due to the risk of

infecting others, persons with COVID-19 infection are kept in isolation wards.

They say that because of the isolation, the fear of death, and associated stigma,

many patients with COVID-19 infection go through mental distress. This report

discusses the experience of 3 persons diagnosed with COVID-19 infection and

admitted to the COVID ward.

Sun et al., (2021) in his study entitled, “Qualitative Study of the psychological

experience of COVID-19 patients during hospitalization” that psychological

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experience of COVID 19 patients during hospitalization they gradually change

their attitude toward the diseases. Negative emotions dominated during the early

stages but gradually gave way to mixed positive and negative emotions. Active

guidance of psychological growth may therefore promote physical and mental

recovery in COVID-19 patients.

Similarly Moradi et al., (2020) in his study entitled, “Psychological

disturbances of survivors throughout COVID-19 crises” that their study portrayed

a better understanding of psychological disturbances of COVID-19 survivors

throughout the disease crisis based on their lived experiences. Given the

ambiguity in the time of the disease eradication and its continuing course, a deep

understanding of these experiences in the current critical situation can help

healthcare officials to make appropriate decisions and take measures to assess

and identify psychological traumas and perform interventions to improve the

mental state of these patients.

Zhang et al., (2022). In his study on “Psychological experience of COVID-19

patients: A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis” that patients

experience difficulty adjusting to the role change between healthy person and

patient, and that the psychological distress caused by COVID-19 to survivors is

widespread and persistent. Promoting the return of survivors to society and

family life is important for healthcare providers. Survivors should have access to

more support in the battle against COVID-19. Future long-term follow-up studies

are required to gain a deeper understanding of how the psychological needs of

survivors evolve over time.

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 Mi Son et al., (2021). In his study entitled “The Lived Experiences of COVID-

19 Patients in Sounth Korea: A qualitative Study” the participants expressed

shock and dissatisfaction due to an excessive invasion of privacy during the

quarantine process and in the quarantine system. As confirmed COVID-19

cases, the participants experienced social stigma and feelings of guilt, negative

attitudes from others and society, and negative influences from social networking

services and the media. The participants also experienced mental and physical

difficulties due to COVID-19 symptoms. However, they rediscovered meaningful

relationships through the support of their family and friends in the midst of

adversity. It is necessary to provide an integrated psychosocial rehabilitation

program to reduce social stigma and improve the resilience of COVID-19

patients.

26
Synthesis

As COVID-19 aspect affected most of people’s lives bringing huge

changes in daily living, the researcher found out that not only the economy is

greatly impacted in a global scale. The researcher discovered that most of us are

not aware of the future risks and effects of COVID-19 to our physical and

psychological well-being. The virus effects people to a great extent, when

detected early, it requires immediate attention from the authorities to deal with

the situation and avoid further physical, mental, and psychological damages to

the individual and his surroundings. The researcher found out that most effects

on physiological functions have covered fever, coughs, shortness of breath,

disturbance of smell and taste, cardiovascular complications. More than 200

symptoms that have been reported in COVID-19 positive patients, other

symptoms that patients or people may experience include things such as chest

pain, trouble speaking, anxiety or depression, muscle aches, fever, loss of smell,

loss of taste. Physiological abnormalities in COVID-19 survivors three months

27
after being discharged from hospital showed that COVID-19 survivors had a

higher incidence of psychological distress in the early as well the late recovery

stage

Most of the researcher talks about fear and worry that are normal distress

responses when people perceive and experience threats, patients gradually

changed their attitude toward the disease and displayed emotional responses

dependent on the stage of the disease. Negative emotions dominated during the

early stages but gradually gave way to mixed positive and negative emotions,

economic loss, place-based identity, self-stigma, health self-interventions, and

changing lifestyle have been causing the most common cases and struggles of

the people. A partial listing includes heightened anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia,

cognitive haze, confusion, social isolation, loneliness, and intense fear of the

possibility of dying.

In conclusion, the research found out that understanding the experience of

recent patients can further assist in identifying the complications of majority of

stressors and to create helpful coping strategies with efficient efforts to inform

and support services to healthcare providers as well as the physical and mental

health of survivors that needs continuous monitoring & treatment with an active

guidance of psychological growth therefore promoting effective physical and

mental recovery in COVID-19 patients.

28
 Chapter III

RESEARCH METHODOLGY

It is in this chapter where the methods and the procedures are discussed. It

presents the description of the research design, research sampling, research

locale, research respondents, research environment, the research instrument the

data gathering procedure and data processing procedure.

Research Design

The researchers will utilize qualitative study, specifically phenomenological

analysis in which, it is used to understand how research participants construct

story and phenomenon from their own personal experience.One of the significant

advantages of the qualitative research method is that it creates a lot of potential

data points which are usable to the social scientists (Creswell, 2016).

A qualitative phenomenological research design has the advantage to aim

the unravel consequential stories of people’s lives as told by them in their own

words, wherein the researcher identifies a specific phenomenon to study,

29
collects data from individuals who have experienced the phenomenon. Explores

the context in which the individual’s experience the phenomenon.

Phenomenological research is both a data gathering and interpretive or

analytical framework, it falls within the realm of social constructivism or the

philosophy that people’s lived stories capture the complexities and nuanced

understanding of their significant experiences. It is easy in getting people to tell

their story, it gains in-depth data, participants are willing to reveal self and

account reflection, the revelation of truth, and the provission of a voice for

participants ( Creswell 2016; Newby 2014). The researchers will base the study

from Heidegger Hermeneutics Phenomenology, since the researchers does not

only want to describe their experiences but also to have in-depth understanding

of such experience. Martin Heidegger connects hermeneutics and

phenomenology in very sophisticated manner as hermeneutical phenomenology

and he provides a very specific definition of his brand of phenomenology (Glenn,

2013).

For Heidegger, hermeneutical phenomenology is the research of the

meaning of the “being” as a fundamental ontology (Kakkori, 2009). The purpose

of hermeneutic phenomenology is to bring to light and reflect upon the lived

meaning of this basic experience. Researchers attempt to describe phenomena

as they appear in everyday life before they have been theorized, interpreted,

explained, and otherwise abstracted, while knowing that any attempt to do this is

is always tentative, contigent, and never complete. Phenomenology as a

methodology is open to nearly any human experience, which allows it to gain an

30
in-depth understanding of individual phenomena and provide rich data from

experiences of the individuals which is applicable in studying human beings’

lived experiences such as they study to be conducted by the researchers in

studying the physical and psychological lived experiences of COVID-19 patients

(Glenn, 2013).

Research Sampling

The researchers will use purposeful sampling technique; it is widely used in

qualitative research for the identification and selection of information-rich cases

related for the most effective use phenomenon of ( Patton 2002). This involves

identifying and selecting individuals or groups of individuals that are especially

knowledgeable about or experienced with a phenomenon of interest (Cresswell

& Plano Clark, 2011). In addition to knowledge and experience, the importance

of availability and willingness to participate, and the ability to communicate

experiences and opinions in an articulate, expressive, and reflective manner. In

contrast, probabilistic or random sampling is used to ensure the generalizability

of findings by minimizing the potential for bias in selection and to control for the

potential influence of known and unknown cofounders (Bernard, 2002 and

Spradley, 1979).

Homogenous sampling is a purposive sampling technique that aims to

achieve a homogeneous sample; that is, a sample whose units, share the same

characteristics or traits. It involves selecting similar cases to further investigate a

particular phenomenon or subgroup of interest. The logic of homogenous

31
sampling is in contrast to the logic of maximum variation sampling. It is used to

understand and describe a particular group in depth. To reduce variation,simplify

analysis and facilitate group interviewing. Participants are selected for the study

based on membership in a sub-group of interest who share the same identical or

traits or similar in nature. Homogenous often used for selecting focus group

participants (Patton, 2002).

To obtain quality data, the respondents will systematically choose based on

the set criteria; (1) Young adults aging 18-40 years old, (2) Those who were

isolated in the local quarantine facilities between March to December 2021; (3)

Whether asymptomatic or asymptomatic; (4) tested positive for COVID-19.

Research Environment

This research will be conducted at Bato, Leyte in selected Barangay.

This town is composed of 32 Barangay and nestled at the center of Matalom

and Hilongos,Leyte. It is approximately 32 kilometers away from Maasin City,

Southern Leyte. Bato is a coastal municipality of the province of Leyte. The

municipality has a land area of 72.45 square kilometers/27.97 square miles

which constitutes 1.14% of leyte’s total area. Its population as determined by

the 2020 Census was 38,505. This represented 2.17% of the total population

of Leyte province, or 0.85% of the overall population of the Eastern Visayas

region

As of now the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bato,Leyte is 299,

the total recoveries 287 and the total deaths 9.

32
Research Respondents

The respondents of the study are the persons infected with COVID 19 in

Bato, Leyte. Each of the respondents will be selected for the study is qualified in

the following inclusion criteria:

1.) Young adults aging 18-40 years old;

2.) Those who were isolated in the local quarantine facilities between March

to December 2021; and

3.) Whether asymptomatic or asymptomatic.

4.) Tested positive for COVID-19

Research Instruments

The researchers will utilize qualitative interviews. Qualitative interviews

have long been an essential research method. The interviews will be the

primary method used in qualitative research and “the most direct, research-

focused interaction trough the researcher and the respondents”. in the

qualitative paradigm, interviews are often seen as one of the best ways to

“enter into the other person’s perspective” and develop “thick descriptions of

a given social world analyzed for cultural patterns and themes” (Kazmer &

Xei, 2008).

For the interview, the researchers will develop a guide questions to allow

the interviewee to move to higher levels of thinking by providing more open-

ended support that calls the respondent’s attention to key details without

being prescriptive and to provide answers to the problems.

33
 A semi-structured type of questions will be utilized. A semi-structured is

a meeting in which the interview does not strictly follow a formalized list of

questions. They will ask more open-ended questions, allowing for a

discussion with the interviewee rather than a straightforward question and

answer format. The semi-structured interview format encourages two-way

communication. Both the interviewer and the candidate can ask questions,

which allows for a comprehensive discussion of pertinent topics (Doyle,

2020).

Part I of the research instrument primarily focused on the respondent’s

personal information. This is significant, for it has shown the respondent;s

background which plays a very vital role in shaping the perspective. Part II is

composed of questions about their lived experiences during the course of

their infection.

Prior to conducting the actual data gathering procedure, a pilot testing for

the respondents will be made. Pilot testing is a rehearsal of the researcher’s

study, allowing the researchers to test the research approach with a small

number of test participants before they will conduct their main study. The

purpose of the pilot testing is to evaluate the feasibility of the study and

identify weaknesses.

Data Gathering Procedure

Data Gathering Procedure In conducting a study, the researchers will send a

letter to the Dean of the College of Nursing. A letter request shall be sent to the

34
Mayor’s office, then Punong Barangay of the chosen Barangay and to the

respondents of the study.After that, the researchers will submit the transmittal

letter to The College of Maasin-Institutional Ethics Review Board, and to the

Local Government Unit of Bato, Leyte for the researchers to gain access to the

respondents. Once the request will be approved, the researchers will start the

interview to the respondents, the researcher will also establish rapport, will

explain the significance of the study, and will ensure the confidentiality of the

information taken to facilitate full cooperation to the respondents. To maintain

privacy and following health care protocol, the interview will be done through

face-to-face. After the interview the result will be collected and analyzed through

tabulated.

Method of Interpretation

The researcher will used Heidegger Hermeneutics Phenomenology.

Hermeneutic Phenomenology is a phenomenological approach Focus on

interpreting to generate sense of individual’s subject lived experience. The

meaning making is undertaken through a hermeneutic circle in which horizons of

understanding between the researcher and participants are fused together to

provide a broader understanding of a specific phenomenon under investigation

(Mwase, 2020).

Phenomenology describes how one orients to lived experience,

hermeneutics describes how one interprets the texts of lived experience.

35
Hermeneutic phenomenology is a human science which studies persons (Van

Manen, 1997).

Van Manen draws upon and connects phenomenology and hermeneutics.

He has applied the approach to pedagogy and parenting and considers that a

hermeneutic phenomenological approach is especially relevant to research in

education. Health and nursing. For Van Manen, phenomenology is a project of

reflection on the lived experience of human existence (Van Manen, 1997), where

the reflection can be seen as being part of an investigation of the nature of a

phenomenon. Reflection is not an explanation for the nature of a phenomenon,

but allows a description of it as it appears in consciousness, where 'nature' is

that which makes something what it is, and without which it could not be what it

is (Van Manen, 1997).

Van Manen's phenomenological method has 6 steps:

1. Turning to the nature of lived experience - formulating a research

question.

2. Investigating experience as we live it the phenomenon is captured

through methods of investigations.

3. Reflecting on the essential themes which characterize the

phenomenon - the overall meaning of an informant's experience is

sought when reflecting on the themes.

36
 4. Describing the phenomenon in the art of writing and rewriting-through

the process of writing, the intention is to make visible the feelings,

thoughts, and attitudes of the informants.

5. Maintaining a strong and oriented relation to the phenomenon the

researcher must stive to remain focused on the research question.

6. Balancing the research context by considering the parts and the whole

- the researcher is asked to constantly measure the overall design of

the study (Molly, 2018)

Role of the Researchers

The role of the researcher in qualitative research is to attempt to access

the thoughts and feelings of study participants. This is not an easy task, as it

involves asking people to talk about things that may be very personal to

them. Sometimes the experiences being explored are fresh in the

participant’s mind, whereas on other occasions reliving past experiences

may be difficult. However the data are being collected, a primary

responsibility of the researcher is to safeguard participants and their data.

The researcher will ask to the respondent who have knowledge about the

study. After collecting the data about the experience of the participants the

researcher will share the result to the others so that the others will be aware.

Method of Verification

Verification is the process of checking, confirming, making sure, and being

certain. In qualitative research, verification refers to the mechanisms used during

37
the process of research to incrementally contribute to ensuring reliability and

validity and, thus, the rigor of a study.

In the conduct of the study, the researchers will formulate a data gathering

tool. Data gathering tool is defined a collecting, measuring and analyzing

accurate insights for research using standard validated techniques. Data

gathering tool must be verified by the research adviser first, before using it in the

actual collection of data, to ensure the validity of the tool in collecting sufficient

data for the study. A pilot testing will be made, prior to using the data gathering

tool in the actual collection of data to ensure credibility and validity of the

research instrument.

Researchers will establish credibility through prolonged engagement with the

data and findings. Also the researchers will describe all details of the research

from sampling to data collection and analysis.

Ethical Consideration

The study is subjected to certain lived experiences of person infected

with COVID-19. All participants will report their written acceptance regarding

their participation in the research. But before the informed consent will be

given, the respondents debrief them about the following: the purpose and

background of the study, the data gathering procedure, the potential risk and

benefits that they will get in participating in the study, the importance of

voluntary participation, the right to refuse and withdraw anytime in the study,

and confidentiality of the gathered data is keep in strictest confidence. Next

38
 to this, participants will be fully inform regarding the objectives of the study,

while each is reassure that provided answers will be treated as confidential

and use only for academic purpose and only for the particular research. After

the data will be interpreted and themes are formulated, the recorded data will

be deleted to maintain the respondent’s privacy. The participants will not be

harmed or abused, both physically and psychologically in conducting the

research. In contrast, the researchers attempt to create and maintain a

climate of comfort and rapport.

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COVER

45
 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

Research Title: Physical and Psychological Lived Experiences of Person

Infected with COVID-19.

Directions: In this interview, the researcher would like to take an account on

your demographic profile and your lived experiences as you were infected with

COVID-19.

46
1. Sociodemographic profile:

1.1 Age: __________________________

1.2 Sex: ___________________________

1.3 Occupation: _________________________

1.4 Socioeconomic Status (monthly income): _________________

1.5 Religion: __________________

1.6 Civil Status: ____________________

1.7 Co-morbidity/ Morbidities: _____________________

1.8 Educational Attainment: ______________________

2. What are your experiences that you faced during the course of your infection,

based on the following adaptive modes:

2.1 Physical: _______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2.3 Psychological: ___________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

47
 __________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3. How did you adapt based on your experiences during the time you were

infected?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

Research Title: Physical and Psychological Lived Experiences of Person

Infected with COVID-19.

Directions: kani nga interbyu, the researcher would like to take an account on

your demographic profile and your lived experiences as you were infected with

COVID-19.

1. Sociodemographic profile:

48
 1.1 Edad: __________________________

1.2 Sex: ___________________________

1.3 Trabaho: _________________________

1.4 Socioeconomic Status (monthly income): _________________

1.5 Relihiyon: __________________

1.6 Civil Status: ____________________

1.7 Co-morbidity/ Morbidities: _____________________

1.8 Edukasyon nga nahuman: ______________________

2. Unsa ang imong na kasinatian katung na takdan ka sa COVID- 19:

2.1 Physical: _______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2.3 Psychological: ___________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

49
 __________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3. Gi unsa nimu pag abapt sa imung mga nasinatian katung panahon nga

natakdan kas COVID 19?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

____________

BIBLIOGRAPHY

50