BALASAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

BALASAN, ILOILO 1

Chapter I

Introduction

Background of the Study

Many students, particularly those in the academic track (STEM, ABM, HUMSS,

and GAS), find the transition to senior high school (SHS) challenging due to the

educational system's significant transformation. The specialized and demanding

curriculum emphasizes critical and analytical thinking, causing students to face

numerous academic demands that may affect their well-being and academic

achievement.

Similar situations are prevalent in several civilizations worldwide. For example,

Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on academic achievement and success,

creating added pressure for academic track students (Samvera, 2020). A report by The

Economist (2017) indicates that Japanese students spend an average of 54 hours per

week on academic activities, significantly more than students in other developed

countries. The report also noted that some students may attend cram school, or juku, in

addition to their regular school hours and homework, further adding to their workload.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand how performing Grade 12 academic track learners

cope with academic stressors and how these coping mechanisms impact their academic

performance.

Coping mechanisms are the strategies people often use in the face of stress

and/or burnout to help manage painful or difficult emotions. Coping mechanisms can

help people adjust to stressful events while helping them maintain their emotional well-

being. People may use coping mechanisms to cope with academic stressors (Good
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Therapy, 2018). Students utilize several mechanisms, such as seeking social support,

engaging in physical activity, time management, relaxation techniques, and etc.

(O'Connor Professional Group, 2021).

The study of Doe et al. (2021) investigated the relationship between school

requirements and academic performance in high school students. The study found that

as the number of school requirements increased, student grades tended to decrease,

particularly for students reporting high levels of stress and anxiety. Therefore, schools

should consider reducing requirements to improve student academic performance and

well-being.

Based on the result of the survey conducted by the researchers at Balasan

National High School, 94% of performing learners specifically on those academic track

are dealing with heavy workload that may contributing to high levels of stress and

burnout.

Considering the significance of coping mechanisms in academic performance,

this study aims to determine the coping mechanisms used by performing Grade 12

academic track learners.

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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
BALASAN, ILOILO 3

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework of the Study

The study anchors on the theory of Deci et al. (2012), known as ‘Self-

determination’. The theory states that the student himself and the free factors have an

extraordinary part in molding the student’s examination propensity. Self-determination is

innate to an individual and together with the mental needs. This theory emphasizes on

the individual’s motivation and how the outside variables effect on the individual’s

execution. Motivation is very important in an individual’s task because it is the main

ingredient in having a good outcome of a task.

Add about coping mechanism related achievement and determination.

Self-determination theory suggests that individuals are more likely to achieve their coping
mechanisms and exhibit determination when they feel a sense of autonomy, competence, and
relatedness in their coping efforts.

Social support: Seeking support from friends, family, or a mentor can be helpful in coping with
setbacks related to achievement. Sharing your struggles with someone who understands and
can offer guidance can help you feel less alone and more motivated to keep going.

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Engaging in mindfulness practices such as meditation or

deep breathing can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can interfere with achievement and
determination. These techniques can help individuals stay centered and focused, even in the
face of obstacles.

Figure 1

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Performing Grade 12 Academic
Track Learners
Coping Mechanism
 With Honors
 With High Honors
 With Highest Honors
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Figure 1. Shows the Coping Mechanism of Performing Grade 12 Academic Track

Learners.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the Coping Mechanism of Performing Grade 12

Academic Track Learners in the first semester SY 2022 – 2023.

Specifically, it seeks to answer this question:

1. What are the coping Mechanism of Performing Grade 12 Academic Track

Learners in the first semester?

Significance of the Study

The results of the study will be beneficial to the following:

School Administrators. This will serve as an awakening to develop a better

understanding of the coping mechanisms of performing Grade 12 academic track

learners and provide targeted support services to help learners succeed academically

and emotionally.

Guidance Counselor. It will directly provide them with information about

effective interventions and support strategies to help students develop healthy coping

mechanisms. Counselors can use this knowledge to provide individual or group

counseling sessions, as well as to inform the development of school-wide support

programs.

Teachers. It will directly provide them with insights into the coping mechanisms

used by their students and identifying high-risk groups of students who may need
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BALASAN, ILOILO 5

additional support. This knowledge can inform teaching practices and support strategies

to improve academic outcomes for students.

Students. It will directly provide them with a better understanding of healthy

coping mechanisms and how to manage academic stress. By developing effective

coping mechanisms, students can improve their academic performance and overall well-

being.

Parents. It will directly provide them with information about healthy coping

mechanisms and strategies they can use to support their children in managing academic

stress. This can lead to improved parent-child communication and support, which can

positively impact academic outcomes.

Future Researchers. It will advance their understanding of coping mechanism.

A study on coping mechanism can help them gain a deeper understanding of these

mechanisms, including effectiveness and limitations. They can also conduct further

study about coping mechanism.

Definition of Terms

For better clarification and understanding of the terms related to the study, the

following terms are defined conceptually and operationally:

Academic Track-- It refers to the track that prepares students for the most

common college courses such as business management, engineering, and the social

sciences (RLL, 2015).

In this study, it refers to the Strand (STEM, ABM, HUMSS and GAS) under the

Academic Track.
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Coping Mechanism-- It refers to the strategies people often use in the face of

stress and/or burnout to help manage painful or difficult emotions (Good Therapy, 2018).

In this study, it refers to ways that performing G12 Academic Track Learners

used to cope with stress and heavy school requirements.

Performing Grade 12 Learners-- It refers to students who are able to

demonstrate a deep understanding of the material they’re studying, and who are able to

apply their knowledge and skills effectively in a varying of contexts (Piaget, 1972).

In this study, it refers to performing G12 Academic Track Learners under STEM,

ABM, HUMSS, and GAS who are With Honors (90-94), With High Honors (95-97), and

With Highest Honors (98-100).

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

This study aims to determine the coping mechanism of performing Grade 12

Academic Strand Learners in the first semester SY 2022-2023.

This study uses descriptive research, which is a statement of the current

condition of affairs without the researcher having any control over the variables.

Moreover, descriptive studies can be defined as simply an effort to ascertain,

characterize, or identify what is, whereas analytical research aims to determine why

something is the way it is or how it came to be (Dudovskiy, 2022). The respondents of

this study are the one hundred and forty (140) Performing Learners of Grade 12

Academic Track at Balasan National High School in the SY 2022-2023. The researchers

used the Purposive Sampling Technique (PST) to determine the sampling size.

According to Business Research Methodology (2022), Purposive Sampling Technique is

a technique in which researcher relies on his or her own judgement when choosing
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members of population to participate in the study. The samples are chosen from these

subgroups and not directly from the entire population.

To gather the data needed the researcher will conduct survey using the

researcher made form about the coping mechanism of the performing Grade 12

Academic Track Learners.

The statistical tool that the researchers will utilized in interpreting the data to be

gathered are the frequency count, mean and average.

BALASAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
BALASAN, ILOILO 8
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
BALASAN, ILOILO 9