Exploring stressors, coping strategies and self-efficacy among working mothers from various age groups

• Main Author: Lopez, Jomelyn G.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: Working mothers; Stress; Job stress; Stress in the workplace; Work stress; Counseling
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3852; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/10690/viewcontent/CDTG004715_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This explanatory mixed method design which comprised of three phases explored stressors based on the following dimensions: definition, sources, effects of stress, and coping strategies employed by working mothers to overcome stress. Moreover, the role of self-efficacy was also explored using a qualitative study such as in-depth interviews and case studies. The first phase of the study analyzed if there are significant differences among the variables age, self-efficacy, and stress. 96 working mothers were randomly included for the statistical computation, 12 respondents were purposely chosen for the structured interview and three working mothers in the case studies. Based on the quantitative analysis using one-way ANOVA, the results revealed that there is no significant difference noted on the levels of stress and age among working mothers across age groups as well as the level of self-efficacy and age. However, it can be noted that middle age adult working mothers have higher stress levels compared with other groups while older working mothers reported higher self-efficacy compared to their younger counterparts. On the other hand, the qualitative results revealed that generally working mothers perceived stress as negative categorized as either source-based or symptom-based. Moreover, it can be noted that sources of stress among working mothers change as they get older. Young working mothers reported more stressors in the workplace while older working mothers reported more stressors on interpersonal relationships. When effects of stress were explored, only the psychological effect is evident across various age groups. Finally, to be able to overcome stress, working mothers employed mostly adaptive coping strategies where leisure is found to be the most dominant across various age groups. When responses were re-arranged according to working mothers stress and efficacy levels, it can be inferred that groups with high levels of efficacy reported less stressors, are less affected by stress and employed more coping strategies compared with v working mothers with low levels of self-efficacy. Implications of the findings were noted and proposed several recommendations.