Advisers

Joshua R. Oh, RPm

Discipline

Psychology

Abstract

Parental separation is a disruptive experience, particularly during adolescence, a period of identity formation and emotional vulnerability. Many Psychology students at Bestlink College of the Philippines experienced parental separation during their teenage years, influencing their emotional security, self-worth, academic performance, and relationships. Guided by the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping, this study examined their levels of emotional insecurity and coping strategies to understand how they manage the challenges brought by parental separation. A quantitative descriptive design was employed involving 56 Psychology students selected through purposive sampling. A validated self-made questionnaire measured demographic characteristics, emotional insecurity (10 items, 4-point scale), and coping strategies (30 items, 5-point scale categorized into adaptive, emotion-focused, and maladaptive). Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and ranking. Results showed a balanced distribution of respondents in terms of age (18–24), sex, and year level. Most participants experienced informal parental separation (67.86%) more than six years ago (64.29%) and were primarily living with their mothers (46.43%). The overall level of emotional insecurity was moderate (WM = 2.76, Agree), with lingering sadness identified as the most prominent concern, while fear of social judgment was least evident. Adaptive coping strategies were frequently used (WM = 3.72, Often), particularly acceptance and positive visualization. Maladaptive coping strategies were used only sometimes (WM = 2.85), with impulsive reactions emerging as the primary area needing support. Overall, students demonstrated resilience and emotional maturity despite ongoing moderate insecurity, balancing vulnerability with constructive coping—though emotional regulation support remains important.

Keywords

Parental, Strategies, Coping, Separation, Adaptive