The relationship between early parental loss and social and emotional adjustment level of selected adolescent of DLSU-D students [computer file].

• Main Authors: Azucena, Maria Regina M., Mariano, Ma. Erlynn Gladdys P., Normal, Jan Paula E.
• Format: Theses and Dissertations NonPeerReviewed
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: BF Psychology; HQ The family. Marriage. Woman; HT Communities. Classes. Races
• Online Access: http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/2064/1/AzucenaMarianoNormal%20...%20-%20EarlyParentalLoss.pdf; http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/2064/
• Institution: De La Salle University

ABSTRACT NAME OF INSTITUION : De La Salle University- Dasmariñas ADDRESS : Dasmariñas, Cavite TITLE : The Relationship between Early Parental Loss and Social and Emotional Adjustment Level of of Selected Adolescents of DLSU-D Students AUTHORS : Azucena, Maria Regina M. Mariano, Ma. Erlynn Gladdys P. Normal, Jan Paula E. FUNDING SOURCE : Parents/ Allowance COST : Php12, 500 DATE STARTED : August 2006 DATE COMPLETED : January 2007 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY General: This paper aims to identify the relationship between parental loss, social and emotional adjustment level of selected adolescents of DLSU-D students. iii Specifically, this study aims: 1. To find out the causes of early parental loss of the respondents, 2. To find out the social adjustment level of the respondents, 3. To find out the emotional adjustment level of the respondents, 4. To know if there is a significant relationship between parental loss, social adjustment level, and 5. To know the significant relationship between parental loss and emotional adjustment level. SCOPE AND COVERAGE The researchers have 60 respondents in this study, who experienced early parental loss due to parents’ death and separation. The family and the friends of the respondents, who are at the age of thirteen to nineteen, are likely to be part and/ or involved in the observation/ investigation. METHODOLOGY Since the respondents are students from De La Salle UniversityDasmariñas, the researchers would have to ask permission from the respective professors of the said students to administer the filling-out of the survey form. When the request was granted, the researchers gave the checklist form and distributed it to the adolescents of DLSU-D. iv The researchers adjusted to the schedule of the students to fill-out the survey form. The results determined who among these students will be included in the study. Initially, the researchers made a draft of the survey form. Then, the researchers asked a psychometrician to revise survey form. In the final draft, three faculty members from the Behavioral Sciences Department of De La Salle University- Dasmariñas, validated the forms. The researchers identified the respondents after the checklist had been completed. The survey forms were distributed to the respondents and the researchers gave them enough time to answer these. Finally, the researchers computed for the results of the survey to determine the relationship between early parental loss and socio-emotional adjustment level of the respondents. MAJOR FINDINGS The causes of early parental loss of the respondents are through death and separation including those whose parents work abroad. Out of 60 students of DLSU-D, twenty-one or 35% belongs to a broken family; eleven (11) or 18% lose any of the parents or both parents; and twenty-eight (28) or 47% of the total number of respondents have parents who are working abroad. When it comes to social adjustment of the respondents, it shows that twelve or 28% of them have high score on social adjustment; while thirty- v five or 58% of them have an average score. The remaining respondents have thirteen or 22% which shows low score on their social adjustment. While the emotional adjustment of the respondents shows that nineteen or 32% of them have high scores on emotional adjustment; while eight or 13% of them have low score and the remaining thirty-three or 55 % had an average score. Based on the results, the researchers found out that the score obtained for Cramer’s V was 0.35. It reflects a weak relationship between the respondents’ parental loss and social adjustment level. The respondents, who experienced early parental loss due to working abroad, display a more effective defense mechanism. One probable reason for this is their attached to their peers in the absence of their parents. Next to it is the other respondents who experienced parental loss through death. The reason for this is they realize that life must still go on even though they feel hurt. Moreover they also engage themselves into activities to help them recover from the unpleasant situation. And, the lowest score is from the respondents whose parents’ are not living together. The probable reason for this is they feel embarrass or worst on what happened to their family. vi Based on the results, the researchers found out that the score obtained for Cramer’s V was 0.39 reflect a weak relationship between the respondents’ parental loss and emotional adjustment level. The highest frequency belongs to the respondents who have separated parents. One probable reason for getting through the trauma is through conditioning themselves and accepting the inevitability of the eventual separation, especially when the parents argue frequently. Next to the highest score are the respondents who experience early parental loss through working abroad. The possible reason for this is the sudden departure of their parents for another country to earn money. And, the lowest score is from the respondents, who lost their parents in death. The irreconcilable emotional distress due to the said phenomenon attributes to the low results. CONCLUSIONS The researchers concluded the following based on the findings of the study: 1. The death of parents and the separation of parents are few of the reasons for parental loss. Sickness, accidents, and old age attribute to the former phenomenon; whereas, the latter is due to irreconcilable differences of the couple that lead to the annulment of marriage. vii Moreover, there are also cases, when the parents leave for other countries to afford the education of their children-the respondents. 2. The social adjustment of the respondents falls under the moderate level. These respondents normally struggle in blending with the society. However, positively, there is the intrinsic desire to interact with the other people and be socially visible. 3. The emotional adjustment of respondents falls under the moderate level. These respondents have difficulty in accepting the situation that they are in, while they continuously positively handle their emotions to work on their advantage. 4. The relationship between parental loss and social adjustment is considered weak. Peers are potential replacement in the absence of parents. This study did not provide potent pieces of evidence to prove parental loss as the primary reason for the adolescents’ inability to adjust to the society. 5. The relationship between parental loss and emotional adjustment is attributed to the environmental factors and maturity level of the adolescents. However, the fear of losing another loved one may affect the emotional stability of these adolescents. viii RECOMMENDATIONS Parents should love, guide, and nourish their children to develop the latter’s socio-emotional adjustment in a better way. It is important for the child to feel loved in facing the challenges that confront him/her in day to day life. Teachers should work closely and collaboratively with the parents and the guardians to foster a holistic development of the students. The readers should continue to appreciate such study to gain more knowledge about the relationship of early parental loss and socio-emotional adjustment of teenagers. Teenagers must understand their situations and the people around them must encourage them to give importance to their parents. The parents are the ones who will help them grow and develop. Children should not ignore every single day that they are with their parents and realize how hard it is not to have their parents around. Future researchers should start working on their own socio-emotional adjustment levels as adolescents.