Stress and Coping Mechanisms of Single Parents: Their Relationship

AUTHOR(S)

Jun Rey Villosillo-Balbuena

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to look into the stress and coping mechanisms employed by single parents in the City of Dipolog during the calendar year 2016. Moreover, the study determined the extent of stress experienced by single parents and its relationship to coping mechanisms employed. The coping mechanisms for stress were categorized into problem-focused coping and emotionfocused coping. Problem-focused coping was further classified into confrontive or interpersonal and planful problem solving while emotion-focused coping into distancing, escape avoidance, accepting responsibility, self- control, seeking social support and positive reappraisal. The profile of the respondents was also considered to determine its influence on stress and their coping mechanisms. This study utilized the descriptive-correlational research method with the aid of a standardized questionnaire. The study revealed that almost 50 percent of the respondents belonged to 26 years old and below bracket. Eighty six percent of the respondents were living in the urban area. Most of them attained a low level educational attainment having completed high school down to elementary education only. About 49 percent of the respondents are earning monthly income of Php 6000 and below. Stress was sometimes experience by the respondents. As regard to coping mechanisms the confrontive coping and escape avoidance were employed quite a bit by the respondents while the rest of the other coping mechanisms were used by the respondents extensively. Coping mechanisms employed were influenced by how often stress was experienced. On the other, coping mechanisms were influenced by stress, thus the way respondents handle stress leads towards a more favourable coping mechanisms among them. On the personal level, respondents should guard their emotions on stressful situations. It is recommended that single parents may attend trainings and seminars on stress management as this would help them handle the demands of their situations. Workshops on coping mechanisms may be conducted by the government so that single parents will further learn the value of coping with stress.