LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Senior High School

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

Senior High School Learners’ Adversity Quotient, Mathematics

Motivation and Performance amidst Pandemic

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

CHAPTER I

Introduction of the Study

Chapter One presents the overview of the study. It includes six

parts: (1) Background and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework of the

Study, (2) Statement of the Problem and the Hypothesis, (3)

Definition of Terms, (4) Scope and Delimitation of the Study, and

(5) Significance of the Study.

Part One, Background and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework of

the Study, shows the basic information about the topic and

indicates the focus attention on the importance and validity of

the problem and provides the key concepts and theories that are

related to the study.

Part Two, Statement of the Problem and Hypothesis, states

the problems and issues that must be answered and the hypothesis

that will be tested in the study.

Part Three, Definition of Terms, includes the conceptual and

operational definitions of important terms that will be used in

this study.

Part Four, Scope and Delimitation of the Study, indicates

the coverage of the study and cites the boundaries in terms of

time frame, number of participants, and the ones that are

excluded from the study.

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

Part Five, Significance of the Study, indicates the

importance of the study and the people or organizations that will

benefit from the study.

Background and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework of the Study

Nowadays, learners are challenged with different

adversities. One of these is the current COVID-19 pandemic which

has brought many changes and challenges to the world. In the

Philippines, the Department of Education, alongside the

Department of Health, is adjusting their policies to address this

health crisis. One of the responses done by DepEd as stipulated

in DepEd Order No. 018 s. 2020 is the development of Basic

Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) to ensure that the

learning opportunities are provided to the learners in a safe

manner through different learning delivery. One of the principles

of the Learning Continuity Plan stipulated in DepEd Order No. 012

s. 2020 is to ensure learning continuity though K-12 curriculum

adjustments, alignment of learning materials, and deployment of

multiple learning delivery modalities. Modular learning modality

is one of this varied learning modalities. Academic performance

and motivation of the learners is hugely affected by this new

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

normal setting specifically their performance and motivation in

learning mathematics. The manner that the learners adapt in this

current situation is very vital on their learning.

Dr. Paul Stoltz (1999) introduced a concept how well a

person can cope with, handle, and withstand adversities, to

recover from these adversities and to turn them into

opportunities. This concept is called Adversity Quotient (AQ).

Adversity Quotient (AQ) is the science of human resilience. By

internalizing this concept, individuals can better understand how

he and others react to challenge and adversity in all aspects of

their lives. In fact, how people respond to adversity is a strong

indicator of ability to succeed in many endeavors (Stoltz, 1999

in Mante 2014). There are researches that suggest that the

success and failure of the learners in school are determined by

the Adversity Quotient or AQ (PEAK Learning, Inc., 2018).

Even at such young age, learners should be aware of their

Adversity Quotient (AQ) to prepare them to develop a better

response to the adversities they will possibly encounter. The

youth are tomorrow’s citizens, and it is hoped that this research

will develop our learners to be climbers rather than quitters

(Lazaro-Capones, 2004).

Academic motivation of learners is also affected with this

new normal set-up of teaching and learning process. Academic

motivation refers to the students’ desire or interest in engaging

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

with learning and their school experience (Hulleman, et al,

2016). It is not only important in its own right; it is also an

important predictor of learning and achievement. Learners who are

more motivated to learn persist longer, produce higher quality

effort, learn more deeply, and perform better in classes. There

are many learners who are highly motivated and do anything their

teacher asks. However, the number of poorly motivated learners is

substantial and seems to be growing. And these affect their

performance in mathematics. When students are confident about

their ability to do mathematics, they are motivated to explore

new concepts even if they are not immediately successful. As

self-efficacy wanes, so does motivation. If the mathematics

doesn’t make sense to students, they often get frustrated and

lose interest.

Mathematics is one of the areas of discipline that learners

find hard to cope with especially in this modular learning

approach that self-learning is very important. General

Mathematics and Statistics and Probability are the two

mathematics courses being

offered to Grade 11 learners of a National High School in Iloilo

in the first and second

semesters. For two years of having this modular learning approach

it is observed by the researcher that it tends to affect

learners’ motivation towards learning mathematics. Most of them

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

cannot understand well the lessons presented in their learning

modules without teachers’ assistance and this affects their

performance in mathematics.

Determining the AQ of a learner and his motivation will also

help him increase his potentials and his problem-solving skills

to conquer the challenges he might face. Since mathematics gives

learners the reinforce their logical and analytical skills, good

performance or failure in mathematics may serve as a factor in

the increase or decrease of his AQ and mathematics motivation.

This study may create a better perspective for students in

seriously taking up mathematics subjects, to use their problem-

solving abilities wisely, and at their fullest potential towards

resiliency; thus, it is essential for schools to integrate

curriculum.

The researcher has been motivated to conduct this study

because of the aforementioned reasons and concepts. Furthermore,

the researcher would like to determine the relationship of

adversity quotient on the mathematics motivation and performance

in mathematics of senior high school learners.

This study will be anchored to various theories. The concept

of Adversity Quotient (AQ) will be connected to Martin Seligman’s

Learned Helplessness Theory and Albert Banduras’ Self-Efficacy

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

Theory. While the concept of mathematics motivation will be based

on Expectancy-value Theory of Weigfield.

At a very young age, students may feel the pressure of

conflicting demands which they face every day. Because of these

pressures, they may often feel helpless. Martin Seligman’s

Learned Helplessness Theory explains why many people give up or

stop short when faced with life’s challenges (Gonzales on Mante,

2014). According to Seligman, people who give up and stop short

when bad things happen, view these as going to last forever,

going to undermine everything and consider it their fault. This

theory is about the loss of perceived control over adverse events

that destroy motivation to act. However, people can be immunized

against helplessness and never give up (Frankl, 1959). Similarly,

it is considered by the American Psychological Association as the

Land Mark Theory of the Century. This theory is significant to

the study because it enables the researcher to understand the

pattern of human action with regards to why some people see

themselves as helpless and hopeless in the face of adversity,

especially self-learning of mathematics during this pandemic.

Further, Bandura (1995) believes in the mastery of one’s

life and the ability to meet challenges as they arise. This is

the Self-Efficacy Theory which emphasizes that learner who has a

sense of self-efficacy bounce back from failures and approach

things in terms of how to handle them rather than worrying about

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

what can go wrong. This is important to the present study since

this theory gives the researcher a good and clear understanding

why some students could deal with certain setbacks and emerge

victorious, while others experiencing them in the same extent,

give up and fail.

Motivation is an internal state that initiates and maintains

goal-directed behavior (Pintrich, 2003). According to expectancy-

value theory (Wigfield et al., 2016), motivation depends on

students’ beliefs about themselves (expectancies) and about the

task (values). Expectancies refer to students’ expectancies for

success, or the belief in their ability to succeed within a

domain. Expectancies for success are closely related to what

other theories of motivation refer to as self-efficacy (Marsh et

al., 2019; Schunk & DiBenedetto, 2016). Expectancy-value theory

also distinguishes among three types of values: intrinsic value,

utility value, and attainment value (Rosenzweig et al., 2019).

Intrinsic value refers to the enjoyment experienced by performing

a particular academic task (e.g., “I enjoy doing things in

math”); utility value refers to the extent to which an academic

task fits within a person’s current or future goals (e.g., “Math

is useful for my future”); and attainment value refers to the

importance to the individual of performing well on an academic

task (e.g., “For me, being good at math is important”, Weidinger

et al., 2020). Intrinsic value and utility value are somewhat

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

related to aspects of what self-determination theory refers to as

intrinsic motivation (i.e., acting for internal or personal

reasons) and extrinsic motivation (i.e., acting to receive

external rewards), respectively.

Students’ beliefs and values are closely connected to their

willingness and ability to regulate their own learning.

These theories and concepts are significant to this study

because they present important ideas and different principles

that can be used to support the aims of the research.

Research Paradigm

The figure below shows the paradigm illustrating the

conceptual framework of the study.

Antecedent Variable Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Mathematics
SHS Track Motivation
Adversity
Sex Quotient
Mathematics
Performance
 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

Figure 1. The paradigm of the study which shows the relationship

between the independent variable and the dependent variable.

Statement of the Problem

This study intends to determine the relationship of

adversity quotient on the mathematics motivation and performance

in Mathematics of the Grade 11 learners of Lambunao National High

School during the third grading period of school year 2021-2022.

Specifically, this study will seek answers to the following

questions:

1. What is the level of Adversity Quotient (AQ) of learners

when classified according to sex and academic track?

2. What is the level of mathematics motivation of learners when

classified according to sex and academic track?

3. What is the level of performance in Mathematics of learners

when classified according to sex and academic track?

4. Are there significant differences between the adversity

quotient of learners when classified according to sex and

academic track?

5. Are there significant differences between the mathematics

motivation of learners when classified according to sex and

academic track?
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Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

6. Are there significant differences between the performance in

mathematics of learners when classified according to sex and

academic track?

7. Are there significant relationships among learners’

adversity quotient, mathematics motivation, and performance

in mathematics?

Research Hypotheses

In view of the foregoing inferential questions, the

following hypotheses will be advanced:

1. There are no significant differences between the adversity

quotient of learners when classified according to sex and

academic track.

2. There are no significant differences between the mathematics

motivation of learners when classified according to sex and

academic track.

3. There are no significant differences between the performance

in mathematics of learners when classified according to sex

and academic track.

4. There are no significant relationships among learners’

adversity quotient, mathematics motivation, and performance

in mathematics.

Definition of Terms
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Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

For clarity and better understanding of terms used in this

study, the following important terms are herein defined

conceptually and operationally:

Adversity-refers to a state of distress, misery, trouble,

suffering, misfortune, disaster, challenges, dangers, hardships,

and conflicts (Stoltz, 2000)

In this study, “adversity” refers to a given situation in

which causes learners’ stress, conflict, challenges, academic

difficulties, and problems, during the respondents’ senior high

school life amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

Adversity Quotient- refers to the science of human

resilience where someone has the ability to recover quickly from

setbacks (Stoltz, 2000)

Operationally, “Adversity Quotient” means the total score

obtained from the Adversity Quotient Questionnaire.

Mathematics- is the science of numbers and their properties,

operations, and relations and with the shapes in space and their

structure and measurement (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, 2006)

In this study, “mathematics” refers to the mathematics

subjects offered in Grade 11 learners which are General

Mathematics and Statistics and Probability.

Motivation- Motivation is an internal state that initiates

and maintains goal-directed behavior (Pintrich, 2003)

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

In this study, “motivation” refers to the persistence,

confidence and level of interest towards learning mathematics

which will be measured using the Mathematics Motivation Rating

Scale (MMRS).

Performance-refers to the actual behavior emitted by a

person or group when

giving learning or other tasks (Ellington & Hans, in Marquez,

2003)

In this study, “performance” refers to the evaluation of

performance of the Grade 11 learners in general mathematics, and

statistics and probability through a researcher-made Performance

Test in Mathematics.

Sex-

In this study, “sex” refers to the

Senior High School Track-.

In this study, “senior high school track” refers to the

chosen track of the Grade 11 learner-respondents.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study intends to determine if there exist significant

relationships among senior high school learners’ adversity

quotient, mathematics motivation, and performance in mathematics

in modular distance learning approach. The respondents of the

study will be the selected fourth Grade 11 learners of Lambunao

 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

National High School during the third grading period of the

school year 2021-2022. Stratified random sampling will be used to

identify the respondents. In this study, performance in

mathematics and mathematics motivation will be used as dependent

variables believed to be influenced by the Adversity Quotient

(AQ) of the respondents- as independent variable. Adversity

Quotient Questionnaire (AQQ) will be used to test the Adversity

Quotient of the respondents and Mathematics Motivation Rating

Scale (MMRS) will be used to determine the respondents’ level of

academic motivation. To determine the respondents’ performance in

mathematics, a researcher-made performance test in mathematics

(PTM) will be used. The researcher seeks permission to use the AQ

profile from the office of Dr. Paul Stoltz. However, the

researcher made changes and adjustments to suit the instrument to

the context of the respondents, so the researcher made an

Adversity Quotient Questionnaire, parallel to his. The

instruments will be validated by three experts for content and

face validity. These will also be pilot tested to determine the

internal consistency and reliability of the instruments.

Significance of the Study

The results of this study will hopefully benefit the following

individuals:
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Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

School Administrators. The outcome of this research may

inspire the school administrators to include in their programs

some important information that they can derive from the results.

This may enable them to craft programs intended to look into the

Adversity Quotient (AQ) and mathematics motivation of the

learners which eventually may change learners’ outlook in

learning mathematics lessons.

Guidance Counselors. This study may guide the school’s

guidance counselor to give appropriate advice and counsel to

students. They can suggest programs and activities to help the

learners build and enhance their mathematics motivation and

adversity quotients.

Teachers. The result of this study may give information to

teachers the need to use new approaches in their way of

delivering the learning to their learners especially in difficult

times like this new normal set-up of teaching, primarily, to

develop the learners’ Adversity Quotient (AQ) and mathematics

motivation that may guide them in their future challenges so they

will continue to experience success. As they are aware of their

learners’ AQ and mathematics motivation level, the teachers

become mentors of the mind and of the heart, producing students

who are strong enough to handle challenges in the future.

Parents. Knowing the AQ of their children may enable the

parents to provide proper guidance and support whenever there are

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Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo

challenges that may come along the way as they grow up. Parents

also must be encouraged to make proper remediation and follow-up

activities at home knowing they are partners of the school in

their children’s education. This will help also parents to

realize the importance of motivating their children in achieving

their goals in life.

Learners. The result of this study may help learners to

realize that skills in mathematics can help them improve their

resiliency in solving problems, not just in school but also in

actual situations. Thus, this makes them become persevering,

highly motivated individuals in the face of challenges both in

their future work and in their personal lives. Furthermore, they

may improve their lifestyles and become better persons.

Future Researchers. It is also hope that other researchers

may replicate the study and correlate mathematics motivation and

adversity quotient with other forms of achievement in different

fields. They may be able to substantiate the results of the

present study.
 LAMBUNAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Lambunao, Iloilo