STRESS-COPING STRATEGIES OF HIGHER EDUCATION OF THE ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC STAFF IN EASTERN VISAYAS

Abstract

Stress susceptibility, sources and symptoms have something to do with how employees in the workplace respond to varied situations. When not dealt with properly stress would lead to non-performance of the employees and low productivity of the organization. Hence, a descriptive survey was conducted to determine the stress profile and coping strategies of the academic and administrative staff of the selected public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Eastern Visayas. On average, a significant difference in the stress profile is manifested between the academic staff and administrative staff in the public HEIs while no difference is shown in the private HEIs. Ordinary least-squares regression analysis identified income, educational qualification, stress susceptibility and stress symptoms as predictors to stress. To regulate one’s susceptibility to stress and mitigate stress sources, the respondents used a wide range of coping mechanisms which disclosed a significant difference between the academic and administrative staff in private HEIs. The coping strategies of academic and administrative staff in public HEIs were observed to have no difference. Knowing the predictors to stress and the varied coping strategies used by the HEI employees in Region 8, a Stress Management Program is hereby suggested for adoption and implementation.