Advisers

Maria Regina V. Baluyut

Discipline

Social sciences

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between multiple role demands and cognitive fatigue among working students at Bestlink College of the Philippines. It was anchored in Role Strain Theory (Goode, 1960), which provides a framework for understanding the psychological and cognitive consequences of managing multiple social roles simultaneously. Individuals often balance several roles that compete for limited resources such as time, energy, and attention. Difficulty meeting these expectations may produce role strain, stress, and a sense of being unable to fulfill competing demands. The study employed a descriptive-correlational design and used purposive sampling to select fifty fourth-year Psychology students. Data were collected using a self-developed and validated five-part questionnaire covering demographic profile, multiple role demands, cognitive fatigue, challenges in managing multiple roles, and coping strategies. Statistical analysis was used to examine the relationship between multiple role demands and cognitive fatigue. Most respondents were young adults aged 21–24 years, with equal representation by gender. All were in their fourth year of study, and most were engaged in part-time employment. Respondents reported moderate academic-workload demands but high job-related task demands, suggesting that employment responsibilities contributed more strongly to perceived role strain than academic workload. Many respondents also reported emotional exhaustion, stress, and avoidance behaviors when academic tasks became overwhelming, highlighting the cumulative demands of balancing study and work. Respondents reported a high level of cognitive fatigue across mental exhaustion, concentration difficulties, and reduced cognitive performance. They described depleted mental energy, difficulty maintaining focus, impaired memory retention, and reduced problem-solving ability while managing concurrent academic and work demands. Major academic challenges included insufficient study time, overlapping deadlines, and academic anxiety, while work-related challenges included schedule conflicts, performance pressure, and divided attention. These findings should be interpreted as associations because the study used a descriptive-correlational design.

Keywords

resilience, burnout, work-study balance, Stress, multiple role demands, cognitive fatigue, role strain