When OFW parents are not around: Health conditions of adolescents left behind and associated factors

Using a descriptive-quantitative research design, this study aimed to examine the health conditions of adolescents left behind (ages 13-17) by OFW-parents, and to define how their health is the outcome of their personal and lifestyle characteristics and their use of protective mechanisms. A total of 400 adolescents left behind by OFW-parents were selected via multi-stage area sampling and were surveyed by using a guided group self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariate ordinal logistic regression were performed to analyze the data. Findings show that adolescents left behind by OFW parents rated themselves to have a fair or moderately healthy lifestyle and perceived themselves to have a strong protective mechanisms to manage their situation as a child of an OFW. Results also show that they perceived themselves to have a healthy or good overall health condition. On the health domains, they rated their physical and psychological health conditions as very healthy, their emotional condition as good or healthy, and their social and spiritual health conditions as moderately healthy. This study also found significant association of their overall health condition with their personal characteristics, lifestyle pattern, and with their use of protective mechanisms. Univariate analyses of their overall health condition show that 6 out of the 20 independent variables were significant, and that sex is the strongest predictor of their overall health condition with the female respondents having more likely to see their health condition as good or healthy most of the time compared to male respondents. On the health domains, good personal hygiene practices predicts their physical health condition, that is those with good personal hygiene practices are more likely to be physically healthy. The sex of the main care provider predicts their psychological health condition, that is those with female care provider are less psychologically healthy compared to those with male care provider. Their emotional health is predicted the most by their personal interests, that is those who engage in unhealthy lifestyle are less likely to be emotionally healthy. Their social health is predicted the strongest by their pattern of communication with the parent-away, that is those who do not have an open and regular pattern of communication with the parent away are less likely to be socially healthy compared to those who have an open and regular communication with the parent away. Lastly, their spiritual health condition is predicted the strongest by the absence of the mother, that is those with mother working as OFW tends to lacking on their spiritual health compared to those who have the mother staying and only the father works as OFW. Findings hope to help develop appropriate program/s of action that will strengthen the OFW family system

Social capital of left-behind children: Determinants and association with school performance

This study examined the influence of social capital on the school performance of left-behind children who were deprived of the physical presence of migrant parents. Social capital in the family, in school, and the community were examined through quantitative design. A survey was conducted among 384 left-behind children selected through multi-stage probability sampling. Results of regression analysis showed that higher levels of shared values and emotions in the family, social trust in the school, involvement in community life, and age of migrant parents determine a higher level of values learned. Higher levels of supportive relationship, social trust at school, and involvement in community life predict a higher level of right conduct. Higher levels of supportive relationship and supportive norms determine a higher average grade. Left-behind children with mother-present, father migrant draw more social capital in the family; while left-behind children with father-present, mother-migrant generate social capital in the school and the community. It is recommended that fathers should be involved in providing care and in the nurturing of left-behind children. Schools should cultivate an environment that invests in social capital especially for the left-behind children lacking in social capital at home. Government institutions serving for the welfare of migrant parents should educate and assist in the psycho-social needs of left-behind children and migrants’ households. © 2018 by De La Salle University

Employees Work Engagement: Correlations with Employee Personal Characteristics, Organizational Commitment and Workplace Happiness

Using data collected from 76 employees of a manufacturing company in Manila, Philippines, this study conducted a correlation analysis to determine the relationship between the level of their engagement at work and their personal characteristics, organizational commitment in the workplace, and job satisfaction. A self-administered structured survey questionnaire was use in the survey. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine the mean scores, frequencies, and percentages, and parametric inferential statistics were employed to examine the correlations between variables. The results indicate a high level of employee work engagement and job satisfaction, as well as a moderate level of employee organizational commitment. Employee age, position and monthly salary were significantly correlated with employee work engagement. The level of employee engagement increases with age, position and income. Results also revealed a significant and strong positive correlation between the level of employee engagement and employee happiness at work. Implications for practices are offered

Filipino Adolescents' Experiences of Abusive Parent-Child Relationship in Low Socioeconomic Status Families

This phenomenological-qualitative study aimed to describe how an abusive parent-child relationship of selected Filipino adolescents from an intact family of low socioeconomic status affects the perceptions of their potential romantic partner, marriage, and family. The study also uncovered their coping mechanisms and support system. The seven informants were identified using a purposive sampling technique. The researchers devised an open-ended interview guide to elicit information from the informants and were conducted with a guidance counsellor. With the use of content analysis, the study revealed that their abusive experiences with one or both parents have significantly affected their perceptions. Most of them have resorted to using negative coping strategies and that their grandparents stood as their extended family support system with their friends as their non-family support system. The informants displayed a significantly entrenched position on the characteristics of their future marital partner and family. However, they have shown disapproval of marriage due to their experiences. The study also exposed that mothers have been more present in the abusive parent-child experiences than the fathers, which contradicts expectations that fathers act as strict disciplinarians and mothers being the child's protector in Philippine Culture. The study exposed the experiences of children in verbal and physical abuse in their homes from intact families with low socioeconomic status in Metro Manila, wherein expounds on the type of social support these children have been given and the kinds of coping mechanisms that are prevalent in their experiences and how these abusive parent-child experiences reflected with either positive or negative on their perception of marital partner, the concept of marriage, and concept of family, wherein provides substantial knowledge on how these experiences can be handled and faced in terms of treatment

Unraveling the Effectiveness of Blended Learning: Key Factors for Effective Implementation from the Perspective of Senior High School Students

Blended learning integrates in-person and online learning, resulting in a flexible learning environment. The main objective of this study is to determine the perceived level of blended learning effectiveness among Grade 12 STEM students from a Philippine private university based in the City of Manila. It also examined the relations between the learners' attitudes, level of efficacy in using the LMS, and academic support received from parents and teachers. A total of 202 SHS students answered the survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Spearman Rho, and multiple regression were employed to analyze the data. Findings show a positive attitude of the learners on the use of blended learning as a mode of learning (x͂ = 4), high self-efficacy on the use of LMS (x͂ = 4), high academic parental support (x͂ =4) and high teachers' support (x͂ = 4). The findings of their perceived effectiveness of blended learning show a high rating with a x͂ = 4. The Spearman Rho tests found each variable's correlation with blended learning effectiveness. Both instructors' academic support for students and learners' attitudes had a strong positive correlation; LMS self-efficacy had a moderately positive correlation, while parents' academic support had a weak positive correlation. Multiple regression tests revealed that learners' attitudes, academic support from parents and teachers, and students' level of efficacy in using the LMS design feature all predict effective blended learning

Mother-daughter Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Correlations with Mothers’ Profile, Religiosity, and Attitudes towards Sex-ual and Reproductive Health

With the surge in curiosity during adolescence, there is a greater emphasis on parents' inherent responsibility to guide their adolescents and aid in their positive development. This study sought to establish correlations of the quality of mother-daughter communication (MDC) with the mother's profile, religiosity, and attitude toward sexual and reproductive health (SRH) through the eyes of Grade 12 Senior High School female students, 18 years old and above, enrolled in a private university in Manila, Philippines. A total of 116 survey respondents were randomly selected for the study. Descriptive statistics and correlation tests were used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that the majority of the students' mothers are in their forties, earn a monthly income below the population average, and have three children. There was no statistically significant correlation between the age, income, and number of children variables with MDC quality. Respondents' mothers were highly religious and had a favorable attitude towards SRH. There was also no significant correlation between mothers' religiosity and MDC quality. Notably, a significant positive, strong correlation between MDC quality and mothers' attitudes towards SRH (r = .6589, n = 116, p = 8.94E-16) was found, implying that mothers' positive attitudes toward SRH improve the quality of MDC on SRH. The findings may guide efforts to improve mother-teen communication dynamics on SRH concerns and identify an effective strategy for enhancing quality teen SRH communication strategies; mothers' attitudes toward SRH are critical to the success of adolescent SRH programs

Correlations between the Senior High School Grade 12 Students’ Perception of School Classroom Climate and Compliance to School Classroom Norms in a Private University in Manila, Philippines

This quantitative study aimed to determine the correlation between  senior high school Grade 12 students’ perception of school climate and compliance with school classroom norms in a private university in Manila, Philippines. A sample of 249 Grade 12 respondents who were randomly selected  answered the online self-administered questionnaire composed of modified scales to explore the two variables, with Cronbach tests exhibiting an acceptable level of internal consistency (perceptions school climate = 0.88, compliance of classroom norms = 0.86). The study found  a positive perception of school climate (M = 4.19, SD = 0.40) and a very high level of classroom norm compliance (M = 3.40, SD = 0.32) among the respondents. The Pearson R test revealed a significant moderate positive correlation between their perception of school climate and their level of school classroom norm compliance and  (r = 0.554,  p < 0.001). This implies that their compliance or adherence to school classroom norms increases as their perception of school climate positively increases

Parentification Experiences of Filipino Young Professional Daughters During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Parentification refers to parent-child role reversal wherein the child adopts the parent's role instrumentally or emotionally. This role reversal practice between the parent and the child is not uncommon in certain cultures. The cultural dynamics and familial obligations at play have positive and negative outlooks with varying effects. This study focused on the effects of instrumental parentification experiences on psychological resilience and interpersonal relationships among selected Filipino young professional daughters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using purposive sampling, 19 Filipino young professional daughters from Metro Manila, Philippines, were selected for the study. Online interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was employed to process the data. Findings showed that most of the daughters, with “utang na loob” (indebtedness) value system, wholeheartedly accepted instrumental parentification. Thus, more tasks and responsibilities were shouldered by them due to the COVID-19 lockdown wherein older parents need to stay at home due to the fear of contracting the disease. Almost all shared that the COVID-19 pandemic tested their parent-child relationship. A few expressed that it made them let go of personal growth opportunities and experienced problems with their parents' relationship, given the uncertainties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, they shared that they could not leave their ageing parents in this time of COVID-19 pandemic and that with proper balancing of tasks and responsibilities at home and at work, parentification made them to become more self-reliant, mature Faster, and responsible daughters

Social Contagion of Astrology in the Social Media amid COVID-19 Pandemic

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations of the extent of Social Contagion - Conscious Behavioral Response (CBR) towards Astrology on social media among Filipino Post-Millennial university students aged 18 to 23 years old with their demographics, Stress Level (SL), and Level of Susceptibility to Barnum effect (LSB) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 406 respondents participated in the online survey and data were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric inferential statistics.  Findings showed that respondents have high SL,  moderate CBR level, and high LSB. Female respondents were found to have significantly higher CBR Factor Scores compared too males (p< 0.000). Thus, the females tended to be more consumers of Astrology in the social media.  Other variables tested (religion, p=0.128; residence type, p= 0.736; age, p= 0.339) showed no statistical significant difference between the sample’s CBR Factor Scores. Also, a person’s stress level during the COVID-19 pandemic (in terms of the situation’s manageability and uncertainty) revealed a statistical significant association with their susceptibility to the Barnum effect (odds ratio 1.252686, p= 0.002). Thus, the more stressed a person is, he tend to manifest higher consumption of Astrology related information in the social media due to high uncertainty and less capacity to control the situation despite high  management capacity score. Furthermore, activities involved in the consumption of Astrology through social media revealed a positive moderate significant association with their level of susceptibility to the Barnum effect (r=0.603, p<0.000). In a pandemic situation, the females consumed more Astrology related information even if the information is vague and may be to general to absorbed.  Overall, the higher the SL and the higher the CBR, the higher the LSB. Thus, in this period of COVID-19 pandemic, females are more susceptible to higher level of  Barnum Effect as they consumed higher level of  Astrology related information triggered by higher level of stress brought by the high level of uncertainty and low level of individual’s control to thee current pandemic situatio