COPING STRATEGY OF MALE AND FEMALE GROCERY WORKERS IN

BATANGAS PROVINCE DURING THE PANDEMIC: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

A Thesis Presented to the Selected Panelists of

St. Augustine School of Nursing Lipa

In Partial Fulfillment of

The degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology

By

February 2022
 CHAPTER 1

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Introduction

Retail and service sector workers have been laboring to keep shelves stocked

and customers happy from the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Life on the

front lines has been exceptionally stressful for these employees. Suddenly, they found

themselves identified as “essential workers,” providing critical services while working in

close contact with customers and coworkers. But unlike health care workers, grocery

store employees had no prior experience or training in combating infectious diseases.

In general, grocery workers may be comprised of vulnerable individuals from low-

income and racially diverse backgrounds, which may contribute to social and health

inequities (Parks, 2021). Essential workers such as grocery workers may also be

treated as easily replaceable, which may contribute to a lack of efforts being made to

establish clear legal protections or safety guidelines in the workplace without

repercussions (Condon, 2021).

A recent University of Arizona study, conducted in partnership with the United

Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 union, found that the COVID-19 pandemic took

a toll on the mental health and wellness of grocery store workers.

Researchers sought to discern the perceptions of mental health risks among

frontline essential workers and the distress personally experienced by grocery store

employees. A sample of 3,344 supermarket associates in Arizona – all represented by a

labor union – during the first wave of the pandemic in July 2020 showed that 22% of

grocery workers reported symptoms of severe anxiety and 16% reported symptoms of
severe depression. Workers who described themselves as financially disadvantaged

and under the age of 55 reported particularly high feelings of anxiety.

Essential workers, like grocery store workers, may be particularly vulnerable to

physical and psychological health impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic as they

provide critical infrastructure to communities while actively engaging with the public on a

regular basis. As a result, grocery store workers face increased risk of exposure to

COVID-19. In a single Boston grocery store, employees with direct customer interaction

were five times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than the surrounding

communities, most of whom were asymptomatic (Lan, 2021) Several news

organizations reported stories of GSW deaths and widespread infections in the early

months of the pandemic (Bradley, 2020). Significant asymptomatic infection rate and

exposure risks were associated with psychological distress of Grocery workers (Lan,

2021). The inability to engage in social distancing while at work was a significant risk

factor for anxiety and depressive symptoms (Lan, 2021). Grocery workers may also

experience COVID-19 health anxiety, which is a heightened and continued state of

vigilance toward one’s body for COVID-19 related-symptoms. COVID-19 health anxiety

can result in cycles of increased anxiety, endorsement of a greater number of COVID-

19 related symptoms, and misreading of one’s health, even amid negative COVID-19

tests (Bradley, 2020).

Due to the stressors encountered by the grocery workers, the researchers will

assess on how they cope up with the stressors brought about by the pandemic. More

specifically, how the coping strategies of male and female differs from one another.
Theoretical Framework

According to Krohne’s (2002) “Stress and Coping Theories,” the Lazarus’ Theory

of Stress is defined as a relationship of an individual and their environment. Lazarus

claims that psychological stress is regarded as a person’s relationship with their

environment and how they appraise their situation in correlation to their own sense of

well-being and how it affects their ability to effectively cope with available resources to

meet the demands that the stress is putting on the individual (Krohne, 2002). The

“transaction” of the relationship between the individual and their environment is the key

factor of Lazarus’ theory on psychological stress, which relies heavily upon the cognitive

appraisal and the coping of an individual. Appraisal consists of the perceptions and

expectations that a person holds on situations that they may or may not have during

certain stressful events.

Conceptual Framework

All people are different in the ways that they perceive challenges, in such that the

quality, intensity and duration of the emotions one may have will significantly depend on

individual characteristics, even if the environment/event is objectively the same for all

individuals (Krohne, 2002). Essentially, appraisals are all based upon the personal and

situational factors related to the individual and the event. The way one perceives and

thinks about their stressful situation may be cause for more or less stress in comparison

to others. Furthermore, the appraisals one holds for their stress also puts an individual

at risk for exacerbating the stressful situation by making the stress evolve into even

more negative outcomes.

In order to achieve effective relief from stress, Lazarus states that coping, which is

strongly related to the appraisal of stress, encompasses “cognitive and behavioral

efforts made to master tolerate or reduce external and internal demands and conflicts

among them” (Krohne, 2002). Deliberately taking charge of one’s thoughts and

physically taking on the tasks of changing behaviors serve as efficient and key methods

to facilitating and managing stress, as defined by Lazarus’s Psychological Stress

Theoretical Framework. The end goal is essentially to reduce negative emotional states

that have resulted from stress by altering external factors contributing to the stress and

to then reframe the appraisals one has about the stress-inducing problem in itself.

Statement of the Problem

The study will explore the coping strategy of grocery workers in Batangas

Province during the pandemic. More specifically, it will seek to answer the question: Is

there a significant difference between the coping strategy of male and female grocery

workers in Batangas Province during the pandemic?

Hypothesis of the Study

The researchers will subject these hypotheses into a test:

H0: There is no significant difference between the coping strategy of male and

female grocery workers.

Ha: There is a significant difference between the coping strategy of male and

female grocery workers.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The research is about the coping strategy of male and female grocery workers

during the pandemic in Batangas Province. The researchers will be utilizing grocery

workers in Lipa and Padre Garcia as subjects and participants of the study. Grocery

workers who are at age of 21-30 years old and are already employed during the

pandemic are the controlled variables in the study. Workers who will not qualify on the

standards set by the researchers will not be included in the study.

Effect of coping strategy and reasons why the workers need to have coping

strategies will not be included in the study. The study will focus mainly on the difference

of coping strategy of male and female grocery workers.

The study will be conducted through the use of survey technique. Through this

study, the researchers will be able to assess if there is difference in the coping strategy

of male and female grocery workers.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be useful to the following entities:

Grocery Workers- The study will be significant to the grocery workers since they

will be able to share their different views regarding coping up on the problems

encountered during the pandemic.

Grocery Store Management- The study will be significant to the management

since they will be able to understand the needs of their workers and the support

they can provide especially during the pandemic.

 Researchers- This study may serve as a guide by the researchers for their further

studies identifying the coping mechanisms of different genders.

Future Researchers- This study may serve as reference for their future study.

Definition of Terms

For the reader’s clearer understanding of the study, the researchers include the

operational definition of the following terms.

Coping Strategy- behavioral and cognitive tactics used to manage crises,

conditions, and demands that are appraised as distressing

(www.sciencedirect.com, 2021)

Grocery Store Workers- any hourly individual employed by an employer in a

retail store, including but not limited to full-time employees, part-time employees,

and temporary workers that works exclusively in a grocery store facility and is

unable to work remotely due to employment requirements.

(www.lawinsider.com, 2019)

Pandemic. 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

(World Health Organization, 2020).

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents studies and literature that are found to be relevant in the

study. The chapter is divided into two major categories; the related literature and the

related studies- both will be further breakdown into its own sub-categories.

Related Literature

Coping Strategy

Coping is defined as the constant changing of cognitive and behavioral efforts to

manage (master, reduce, or tolerate) the external and/or internal demands that have

exceeded an individual’s capacity or resources (Dyson & Renk, 2016, Moret-Tatay et

al., 2016; McMahon et al., 2013; Wong et al., 2016). In other words, coping can refer to

the thoughts and acts people use to manage specific stressful situations as well as their

emotions. There are two major functions of coping: to alter the person-environment

stressor (problem-focused coping) and to regulate stressful emotions (emotion-focused

coping; Matud, 2014). Coping is a mediator between stress and physical or mental

disorder. Depression is associated with feelings of sadness, anxiety, and hostility. A

major difference between a depressed and non-depressed person is how they cope with

and prevent stress. Depressed people appraise daily events and cope with their

demands in different ways than non-depressed people.

 Folkman and Lazarus differentiated coping strategies into two major categories:

problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping (Wong et al., 2016). Most stressful

situations elicit both types of coping, although the type of situation will determine which

coping strategy would be most beneficial (Wong et al., 2016).

Problem-Focused Coping

Problem-focused coping involves the cognitive and behavioral attempts in

changing or eliminating the stressful situation (Matud, 2014). In other words, it is the

thoughts or actions used to directly deal with the stressor (Li et al., 2016; Litman, 2016).

This coping style targets the cause of stress in active and practical ways (Moret Tatay et

al., 2016; Wong et al., 2016). The different types of problem-focused coping include:

active coping (taking steps to eliminate the problem), planning (thinking about dealing

with the problem), seeking social support for instrumental reason (seeking advice,

assistance, or information), screening out other activities, suppression of competing

activities (focusing only on the problem), restraint coping (forcing oneself to wait before

acting), confronted coping, and reflecting on past experience (McMahon et al., 2013).

Problem-focused coping is a type of engagement coping pattern (dealing with the

stressor) that is emotionally positive: it allows for a person to experience positive

feelings of efficacy, mastery, and control for many stressors, even in situations that

appear to be uncontrollable (Dunkley et al., 2017). It significantly reduces mental health

problems by promoting better mental health outcomes and well-being (McMahon et al.,

2013; Wong et al., 2016). Problem-focused coping is associated with reduced levels of

depression, lower levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and higher self-esteem

(McMahon et al., 2013). People use problem-focused coping more often when the
situation is appraised as being controllable and/or changeable and when people feel

that something constructive can be done.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Emotion-focused coping are thoughts or actions used for regulation of negative

emotions elicited by a stressful situation (MoretTatay et al., 2016; Wong et al., 2016).

Different types of emotion-focused coping strategies include: seeking out social support

for emotional reasons (getting moral support, sympathy, or understanding),

avoidant/escape coping (wishful thinking, tension-reduction (try to make oneself feel

better by eating, drinking, smoking, and using drugs or medications), distraction, denial

(refusing to believe the problem is real), distancing, self-isolation, and mental or

behavioral disengagement), acceptance (learning to accept the problem), positive

reappraisal, self-blame, accepting responsibility, rumination (thinking or worrying

repeatedly about one’s problem), turning to religion (using faith for support), and humor

(Litman, 2016; Wong et al., 2016).

As opposed to problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping strategies are

predominately used by people who feel the stressor is something that must be endured

and when the situation is appraised as being unchangeable (Howerton & Van Gundy,

2009). It is less effective than problem-focused coping; is regarded as being

dysfunctional; is associated with poorer mental health (i.e. higher levels of distress,

depressive, and anxiety symptoms, and lower levels of self-esteem); and might result in

mental health problems (McMahon et al., 2013; Wong et al., 2016). For example,

avoidant coping and ruminative coping (two types of emotion-focused coping) are

associated with poorer mental health: Avoidant coping is recognized as a maladaptive

response that may increase the severity and/or duration of the stressor and exacerbate

distress; and ruminative coping is strongly associated with depression (Dunkley et al.,

2017). Emotion-focused coping can also be a form of disengagement coping patterns

(escaping the stressor) that is emotionally negative; and it is associated with negative

outcomes, maladaptive functioning, and strain for the individual (Dunkley et al., 2017;

Dyson & Renk, 2006).

Gender Differences of Coping Mechanisms

Gender is a factor that affects the input (determining if a situation is stressful) and

the output (coping responses and health implications) of the stress process (Matud,

2014). The literature on gender differences of coping mechanisms has been mixed.

Many studies have found that women tend to use a greater amount of emotion-focused

strategies, whereas men tend to use more problem-focused coping strategies (Dyson &

Renk, 2006; Howerton & Van Gundy, 2009; Li et al., 2006; Matud, 2004; Moret-Taytay

et al., 2016). Women tend to use more maladaptive emotion-focused coping strategies,

such as rumination, seeking help, and crying, than men to regulate their emotions

(Howerton & Van Gundy, 2009; Ros et al., 2014). Some studies found no gender

differences, but some found that men were more repressive than women (Ros et al.,

2014). In one study, females reported using both coping styles more than men

(McMahon et al., 2013). Another study found that both men and women utilize many

coping strategies, but women tend to use a greater variety of coping mechanisms and

are more likely to seek help than men (Howerton & Van Gundy, 2009). Overall, men use

more problem-focused coping mechanisms, whereas women use more emotion-

focused coping mechanisms and tend to seek more social support.

Masculinity and Femininity

Problem-focused coping strategies are more likely used by men or individuals

who rate themselves high in masculine characteristics (e.g., dominant, competitive,

aggressive, and independent), whereas emotion-focused coping strategies are more

likely used by women or individuals who rate themselves high in feminine characteristics

(e.g., affectionate, gentle, loyal, and understanding; Howerton & Van Gundy, 2019).

People who have less masculine traits are at a greater risk for depression, most likely

because they will use less problem-focused and distractive coping techniques than

those higher in masculinity (Li et al., 2016). Dyson and Renk (2006) found that the

masculinity of male participants was related significantly and positively to the use of

problem focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. The femininity of male

participants was related significantly and positively to emotion-focused and avoidant

coping strategies. Masculinity of female participants was significantly related to the use

of problem-focused coping strategies. Femininity of female participants was related

significantly and positively to the use of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping

strategies. Male and female participants showed similar levels of coping strategies.

They inferred that this may be due to sex differences changing over time and/or that all

the participants were college students and may be more liberal in what they perceive as

appropriate behaviors for men and women (Martínez Hernáez et al., 2016). Masculinity

of both male and female participants was positively correlated to problem-focused

strategies, whereas femininity of both male and female participants was positively

correlated to emotion-focused strategies; but as a whole, males and females had similar

levels of coping strategies.

Therefore, gender differences of coping strategies may be due to the differences in

gender roles (masculinity versus femininity) and not sex differences (male versus

female).

Related Studies

Gender differences in the expression of emotion are larger among men and

women who have stronger stereotypes about gender and emotion (Grossman & Wood,

1993), and the female gender role has been associated with the expression of emotion

(Brody & Hall, 1993). These studies suggest that gender socialization may play a role in

sex differences in emotional expression. Younger women see older women turning to

others for help whilst men will see turning to others for help as a weakness. For

example, a study (Derlega & Chaikin, 2016) found that women who confided in others

and disclosed a personal problem were adjudged to be better well-adjusted than the

female who kept the problem to themselves. For men, those who shared the problem

were adjudged to be less well-adjusted than those who kept the problem to themselves.

A meta-analytic review showed that women who self-disclose are more popular

and this is the opposite for men. (Collins & Miller,2014). Women will find it easier than

men to receive social support because there are more people in the social environment

ready to listen to them (Eagly & Crowley, 2016). Society does inhibit men from seeking

social support and sharing problems. The socialization hypothesis suggests that

because of sex role expectations, men are socialized to use more active and

instrumental coping behaviours, whereas women are socialized to use more passive

and emotion-focused behaviours and to seek more social support (Morch &

Huckabee,2008). Also this theory of gender socialization would argue that men might be
more likely to cope with stress by denying the problem or avoiding it because men are

socialized to conceal their emotions. Because men stereotypically are considered to be

action oriented, direct, and assertive, they also might be more likely to engage in

problem focused coping. The social norm seems to be for women to express their

feelings and for men to conceal their feelings. (Greenglass, 2012). Not all research has,

however, produced findings consistent with these stereotypical views. The situational

hypothesis states that situations drive coping behaviors.

 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHOD

This chapter aims to show the research design of the study, the respondents of

the study, the sampling procedure, the research instrument, the validity and reliability of

the instrument, the data gathering procedure and the statistical treatment used in the

present study.

Research Design

The researcher will use the descriptive quantitative research method that

attempts to collect quantifiable information for statistical analysis of the population

sample.

Population, Sample Size and Sampling Technique

100 respondents will be the sample size for this study. The researchers gathered

respondent’s data using the non-probability sampling is a sampling approach in which

not every person of the population has the same chance of taking part in the study. This

method is used by researchers in studies where it is impossible to draw random

probability sampling due to time or cost constraints.

Specifically, the researchers will use the convenience and snow balling

technique. In convenience sampling, samples are chosen from the population based

solely on their accessibility to the researcher. The researchers chose these samples

solely because they are easy to recruit, and they not consider selecting a sample that

represents the entire population. On the other hand , snow ball sampling aids
researchers in locating samples that are difficult to find. This sampling technique

functions similarly to referral program. Once the researchers have identified suitable

subjects, he requests their assistance in locating similar subjects in order to form

sufficiently large sample size.

Description of Respondents

The respondents of our study are the selected grocery workers who are 21-30

years old and are already employed from the time the pandemic arises. They are the

ones who have enough knowledge to answer the problems posed in our study. They

answered the questionnaire that we gave to them which supplies the information that

the researchers need.

Research Instrument

The researchers will use the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; there are 10

questions to be answered by the respondents. The scores are calculated as follow, For

items 1,2,4,6 and 7; Strongly Agree = 3, Agree = 2, Disagree = 1, Strongly Disagree = 0

and For items 3,5,8,9, and 1, Strongly Agree = 0, Agree =1, Disagree = 2, Strongly

Disagree = 3.

The scale ranges from 0-30. Scores between 15 and 25 are within normal range; scores

below 15 suggest low self-esteem.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers will conduct an online survey via Google Form. The researchers

included an informed consent before the respondents proceed to answer it. All the data
that will be gathered will be kept confidential. Researcher will conduct cleaning in the

answered survey to get precise and accurate results for the study.

Statistical Treatment of Data

The following statistical tool will be used in order to arrive at the analysis and

interpretation of the data that will be gathered.

1. T-Test- A type of inferential statistic used to determine if there is a significant

difference between the means of two groups, which may be related in certain

features. It is mostly used when the data sets, like the data set recorded as the

outcome from flipping a coin 100 times, would follow a normal distribution and

may have unknown variances. A t-test is used as a hypothesis testing tool, which

allows testing of an assumption applicable to a population. This will be used in

assessing the level of self-esteem of fulltime and students with part-time jobs.
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of data gathered using

appropriate statistical tools.

1. Difference of Coping Strategy of Male and Female with regards to Avoidant

Coping Strategy

Table 1.0

Difference of Coping Strategy of Male and Female based on Avoidant

Coping Strategy

Male Female
Mean 3.34 3.2
SD 0.338 0.369
t Stat 1.957
df 98
p-value 0.0531

Result show that male grocery workers in Batangas Province (M=3.34, SD=

0.338) has a higher level of coping strategy with regards to avoidant coping strategy

compared to female grocery workers (M=3.2, SD= 0.369). The result revealed a 0.05 p-

value. Therefore, gender appears to be an important factor in coping strategy most

specifically the avoidant coping strategy.

According to Matud (2014), gender is a factor that affects the input (determining if

a situation is stressful) and the output (coping responses and health implications) of the
stress process. Many studies have found that women tend to use a greater number of

emotion-focused strategies, whereas men tend to use more problem-focused and

avoidant coping strategies (Dyson & Renk, 2006; Howerton & Van Gundy, 2009; Li et

al., 2006; Matud, 2004; Moret-Taytay et al., 2016).

2. Difference of Coping Strategy of Male and Female with regards to Problem-

Focused

Table 2.0

Difference of Coping Strategy of Male and Female based on Problem-

Focused

Male Female
Mean 3.67 3.47
SD 0.233 0.273
t Stat 3.91
df 98
p-value 0.0002

Result show that male grocery workers in Batangas Province (M=3.67, SD=

0.338) has a higher level of coping strategy with regards to problem-focused strategy

compared to female grocery workers (M=3.47, SD= 0.273). The result revealed a t(98)=

3.91 and p <0.05, therefore, gender appears to be an important factor in coping strategy

most specifically the problem-focused.

The result of the study can be supported by Howerton & Van Gundy, 2019 who

stated that problem-focused coping strategies are more likely used by men or

individuals who rate themselves high in masculine characteristics.

 3. Difference of Coping Strategy of Male and Female with regards to Emotion-

Based

Table 3

.0

Difference of Coping Strategy of Male and Female based on Emotion-Based

Male Female
Mean 3.34 3.55
SD 0.259 0.240
t Stat -4.20
df 98
p-value 0.00006

Result show that female grocery workers in Batangas Province (M=3.55, SD=

0.240) has a higher level of coping strategy with regards to emotion-based strategy

compared to male grocery workers (M=3.34, SD= 0.259). The result revealed a t (98) =

-4.20 and p <0.05, therefore, gender appears to be an important factor in coping

strategy most specifically the emotion-based.

Women tend to use more maladaptive emotion-focused coping strategies, such as

rumination, seeking help, and crying, than men to regulate their emotions (Howerton &

Van Gundy, 2009; Ros et al., 2014).

 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter presents the summary or the research work undertaken, the

conclusions drawn and the recommendations made as an outgrowth of this study.

1. Summary of Findings

To summarize the result of the study conducted, the result shows that

gender is an important factor in the coping strategy of grocery workers in

Batangas Province. According to the result of checking the difference of coping

strategy of male and female grocery workers in Batangas Province, it shows a

significant difference which means that gender is an important factor in the

coping strategy of grocery workers in Batangas Province

Conclusions

The following are the findings of the specific problems raised in the study:

1. Male grocery workers tend to use problem-focused and avoidant coping

strategy.

2. Female workers tend to use emotion-based coping strategy.

3. There is a significant difference in coping strategies of male and female

grocery workers in Batangas Province during the pandemic.

Recommendations

Based on the result of the study conducted, the researchers recommend the

following to support and improve the coping strategy of grocery workers and to

further improve the study.

1. It is recommended that the grocery workers attend some orientation and trainings

with regards to coping strategies especially this pandemic.

2. The Grocery management must also have different set plans and methods in

responding the needs and problems of grocer.

3. To future researchers, it is recommended that the study be conducted with a

larger population and a different locale.

4. The future researcher may also add profile in the study to further assess the

coping strategies of grocery workers.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barlow DH. Anxiety and its disorders: The nature and treatment of anxiety and
panic. 2. New York: Guilford Press; 2001. p. 704.
Billings AG, Moos RH. Coping, stress, and social resources among adults with
unipolar depression. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1984;46:877–891. 
Blalock JA, Joiner TE. Interaction of cognitive avoidance coping and stress in
predicting depression/anxiety. Cogn Ther Res. 2000;24:47–65.
Carver CS. You want to measure coping but your protocol’s too long: Consider the Brief

COPE. Int J Behav Med. 1997;4:92–100. [PubMed]

Craske MG. Origins of phobias and anxiety disorders: Why women more than men?

Elsevier; Oxford: 2003. p. 304p.

First MB, Spitzer RL, Gibbon M, Williams JBW. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-

IV-TR Axis I Disorders-Patient Edition (SCID-I/P, 11/2002 revision) New York: New York

State Psychiatric Institute; 2002

Folkman S, Lazarus RS. An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. J

Health Soc Behav. 1980;21:219–239.

Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Dunkel-Schetter C, Delongis A, Gruen RJ. Dynamics of a

stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. J Pers Soc

Psychol. 1986;50:992–1003.

Garnefski N, Kraaji V. Relationships between cognitive emotion regulation strategies

and depressive symptoms: A comparative study of five specific samples. Pers Individual

Differ. 2006;40:1659–1669
Garnefski N, Teerds J, Kraaij V, Legerstee J, van den Kommer T. Cognitive emotion

regulation strategies and depressive symptoms: Differences between males and

females. Pers Individual Differ. 2004;36:267–276.

Hammen C. Stress and depression. Ann Rev Clin Psychol. 2005;1:293–319.

Lazarus RS, Folkman S. Stress, appraisal and coping. New York: Springer; 1984. p.

464p.

Martin RC, Dahlen ER. Cognitive emotion regulation in the prediction of depression,

anxiety, stress, and anger. Pers Individual Differ. 2005;39:1249–1260.

Matheson K, Anisman H. Systems of coping associated with dysphoria, anxiety and

depressive illness: A multivariate profile perspective. Stress. 2003;6:223–234.

Matud MP. Gender differences in stress and coping styles. Pers Individual Differ.

2004;37:1401–1415.

Mazure CM, Maciejewski PK. The interplay of stress, gender and cognitive style in

depressive onset. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2003;6:5–8.

Mezulis AH, Abramson LY, Hyde JS. Domain specificity of gender differences in

rumination. J Cogn Psychother. 2002;16:421–434.

Wong, J. Y., Fong, D. Y., Choi, A. W., Tiwari, A., Chan, K. L., & Logan, T. (2016).

Problem-focused coping mediates the impact of intimate partner violence on

mental health among Chinese women. Psychology of Violence, 6(2), 313-322.

doi:10.1037/a0039496

Zhang, J., & Yen, S. T. (2015). Physical activity, gender difference, and depressive

symptoms. Health Services Research, 50(5), 1550-1573. doi:10.1111/1475-

6773.12285
APPENDICES
 APPENDIX A

INFORMED CONSENT FORM

 INFORMED CONSENT FORM

TITLE OF THE STUDY: A COMPARISON OF MEANS IN COPING MECHANISM OF

MALE AND FEMALE GROCERY WORKERS IN BATANGAS PROVINCE

Name of researcher(s) & contact details:

Nicole Paula De Chavez

pauladechavez29@gmail.com

Jedilyn H. Orense

jediorense21@gmail.com

Marinella Magpantay

magpantaymarinella@gmail.com

Dear participant:

You are invited to participate in this online survey on coping strategy of male and

female grocery workers in Batangas Province during Pandemic. The purpose of this

study is to determine if there are differences in coping mechanism of male and female

grocery workers in Batangas Province during the pandemic.

For each of the following questions, you will be asked to select the answer that best

applies to you. It will take approximately 5-10 minutes for you to finish answering the

questions.

There are no direct benefits that can be gained from participating in this study, nor

there are any foreseeable risks in doing so. There are no sensitive questions involved.

By participating in this study, you will provide valuable information that may help

future researchers studying this particular topic.

Your participation is purely voluntary. If you are a student at AMA Educational

System, your refusal to participate in this study will not in any way affect your class

standing. You may also withdraw from participation even after you have consented to

participate and for any reason.

Should you agree to participate, rest assured that your identity will not be divulged nor

your answers attributed to you. In accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, all

personal information you provide will be kept confidential. All the raw data files will be

accessible only to the researcher(s). The data set and all files, digital or otherwise, will

be destroyed five years after the study has been conducted.

Should you have any question or concern about your participation in this study,

please email me/us at the email address above. If you have issues or concerns which

you feel uncomfortable discussing with me/us, you may email my/our thesis adviser,

Ms. Ena Cruz, at mariaelena.cruz@ama.edu.ph

 APPENDIX B

QUESTIONNAIRE
 SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Do you wish to participate in this study? *

I hereby give my consent to participate in this study.

I do not wish to participate in this study.

Demographic Profile

2. Age *

Mark only one oval.

21-22 years old

23-24 years old
25-26 years old
27-28 years old
29-30 years old

3. Gender *

Mark only one oval.

Male
Female
COPING STRATEGY OF GROCERY WORKERS

Direction: The following questions ask how you have sought to cope with a

hardship in your life. Read the statements and indicate how much you have been

using each coping style.

1 = I haven't been doing this at all

 2 = I've been doing this a little bit

 3 = I've been doing this a medium amount

 4 = I've been doing this a lot

_______1.  I've been turning to work or other activities to take my mind off things.

_______2.  I've been concentrating my efforts on doing something about the situation

I'm in.

_______3.  I've been saying to myself "this isn't real.".

_______4.  I've been using alcohol or other drugs to make myself feel better.

_______5.  I've been getting emotional support from others.

_______6.  I've been giving up trying to deal with it.

_______7.  I've been taking action to try to make the situation better.

_______8.  I've been refusing to believe that it has happened.

_______9.  I've been saying things to let my unpleasant feelings escape.

_______10.  I’ve been getting help and advice from other people.

_______11.  I've been using alcohol or other drugs to help me get through it.

_______12.  I've been trying to see it in a different light, to make it seem more positive.

_______13.  I’ve been criticizing myself.

_______14.  I've been trying to come up with a strategy about what to do.

_______15.  I've been getting comfort and understanding from someone.

_______16.  I've been giving up the attempt to cope.

_______17.  I've been looking for something good in what is happening.

_______18.  I've been making jokes about it.

_______19.  I've been doing something to think about it less, such as going to movies,

 watching TV, reading, daydreaming, sleeping, or shopping.

_______20.  I've been accepting the reality of the fact that it has happened.

_______21.  I've been expressing my negative feelings.

_______22.  I've been trying to find comfort in my religion or spiritual beliefs.

_______23.  I’ve been trying to get advice or help from other people about what to do.

_______24.  I've been learning to live with it.

_______25.  I've been thinking hard about what steps to take.

_______26.  I’ve been blaming myself for things that happened.

_______27.  I've been praying or meditating.

_______28.  I've been making fun of the situation.

 APPENDIX C

STATISTICAL COMPUTATION
1. Avoidant Focused Coping Strategy

Table4.0

Statistical Data Result (Avoidant Focused)

  Male Female
Mean 3.34 3.2
Variance 0.116734694 0.139030612
Observations 50 50
Pooled Variance 0.127882653
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 98
t Stat 1.957456958
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.026569169
t Critical one-tail 1.660551217
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.053138338
t Critical two-tail 1.984467455  
2. Problem-Focused Coping Strategy

Table 5.0

Statistical Data Result (Problem-Focused)

  Male Female
Mean 3.6675 3.4675
0.07577
Variance 0.055235969 2
Observations 50 50
Pooled Variance 0.065503827
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 98
t Stat 3.907209197
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.000086
t Critical one-tail 1.660551217
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.000171827
t Critical two-tail 1.984467455  
3. Emotion-Based Coping Strategy

Table 6.0

Statistical Data Result (Emotion-Based)

  Male Female
Mean 3.34 3.551666667
Variance 0.068548753 0.05864229
Observations 50 50
Pooled Variance 0.063595522
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 98
t Stat -4.196712402
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.000030
t Critical one-tail 1.660551217
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.00006
t Critical two-tail 1.984467455