Sources and Level of Stress Coping Strategies of Faculty Members in the University of Eastern Philippines

This study generally aimed at investigating the stressors that affect faculty members in the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), and identify the coping strategies they use in response to these stressors. Specifically, it sought to find the profile of the respondents, the causes and levels of stress, and the coping strategies used by the respondents in managing stress. Mixed-method research design was used to attain its objectives. The population of the study was composed of UEP faculty members. Findings on the profile showed that majority of the faculty members were female and were 35 years old and above. Findings on the level of stress of the respondents revealed that more than 50 percent had high level of stress on work load and role overload. Average Level on relationship with students, relationship with colleagues, and control of work environment. In terms of sources of stress of the respondents, findings showed that they were very much stressed with lack of school facilities, lack of resources, completing forms, and paper works. And lack of well-defined goals and objective and common tasks, much stressed on lack of cooperation of other staff members, dealing with slow learners, poor lightning and ventilation, working with associates whom they felt incompetent, and meeting deadlines. The respondents were averagely stressed with unmotivated students, open area classroom, dealing with individual differences, with insufficient salary for work done, lack of opportunity for promotion, dealing with students with personal problems, and students absenteeism. As regards to stress coping mechanism of the respondents, finding show that majority of the respondents diverted their attention to other things of ignored the problems, often did symptom intervention such as concentrate efforts on doing something about it, do what has to be done, one step at a time, and take additional action to try to get rid of the problem. Likewise, they consult an expert to help them sort out their problem and sought emotional support. sometimes they indulge in productive activities, read the Bible, discuss feelings with friends, ask people who have similar experiences. On the test of relationship between profile and level of stress, results show that faculty members stress can be attributed to the profile of the respondents in terms of age sex. Based on the findings, it is recommended that The administration may prioritize school facilities and other school needs, Team building may be organized and conducted which may result to cooperation and coordination among the faculty, Additional Clerks may be hired to help faculty in their paperwork, such as encoding and production, Learning Assistance Program be strictly implemented to help slow learners, and Work load be reduced to two preparation with 15 units or one preparation with maximum of 18 units.