ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERCEIVED STRESSORS AND COPING MECHANISM AMONG TAMARAW NURSING STUDENTS IN VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN

Background: The global pandemic has proven to be challenging for students in more ways than one. Since face-to-face classes moved virtually, many students face distress as they embrace the paradigm shift in pedagogical delivery. Thus, the output of the study is expected to give light to the present psychological condition of students with regards to the formulated modes of learning implemented by their respective university.

Methods: The study was conducted to 1308 nursing students aged 17 to 25 who were selected using probability sampling at the Far Eastern University¾Manila. Study identified Tamaraw Nursing Students’ demographic profile (Age, Gender, Mode of Learning, Year level, and Internet Speed) along with level of Perceived Stressors using Perceived Stress Scale (Home and Environment, Virtual Learning, and COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown) and Coping Mechanism adopted using Stress Coping Resources Inventory (Wellness, Thought Control, Active Coping, Social Ease, Tension reduction, and Spiritual practice scale). Study utilized descriptive correlational design as significant relationship between Perceived Stressors, Stress Coping Mechanism, and demographic profile are measured cross-sectionally. Frequency Distribution and Percentages Distribution, Mean, and Standard Deviation are used to tabulate data. Point-biserial, Spearman rho and Pearson correlation are utilized to test correlation between variables.

Result: reveals significantly high level of perceived stressors (96.60%) being COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown as its highest cause. Active coping, social ease, spiritual practice is most used coping mechanisms.

Conclusion: Coping Mechanism has significant relationship to demographic profile excluding gender.  Study reveals no significance between Stress Coping Mechanism and Overall Level of Perceived Stressors; however, only thought control scale shows significance to perceived stressors.

Keywords: COVID-19, Perceived Stressors, Coping Mechanism, Nursing Student, Virtual Classrooms, Pandemic, Lockdown, Stress Coping Resources Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale.