Theme: Battle Against Problem

Coping is expending conscious effort to solve personal and interpersonal

problems, and seeking to master, minimize or tolerate stress or conflict. The
effectiveness of the coping efforts depend on the type of stress and/or conflict, the
particular individual, and the circumstances. Coping mechanisms are commonly termed
coping strategies or coping skills. Subconscious or non-conscious strategies are
generally excluded. The term coping generally refers to adaptive or constructive coping
strategies. However, some coping strategies can be considered maladaptive.
Maladaptive coping can thus be described, in effect, as non-coping. Furthermore, the
term coping generally refers to reactive coping. This contrasts with proactive coping, in
which a coping response aims to head off a future stressor. (Weiten and Lloyd, 2011)
The concept of coping mechanisms and/or strategies is closely related to the idea of
survival, and threat. It is a key concept of emergency management.
Coping refers to person who wants to solve her problem unconsciously by doing good
thing that make him relax. Coping mechanism to help overcome or deal with
experiences of loneliness and abuse during childhood and/or adolescence (Brown,
2013).
Most defense mechanisms are fairly unconscious that means most of us dont
realize were using them in the moment. Some types of psychotherapy can help a
person become aware of what defense mechanisms they are using, how effective they
are, and how to use less primitive and more effective mechanisms in the future.
(Grohol,2014)

Subtheme: Lets get Physical

Lets get physical refers to the actions or activities of the informants in order to
cope to their experiences and stressors. Engaging in various types of physical activity
can serve to alleviate stress. Everything from walking to cleaning your home can help
reduce stress levels. Exercise is extremely beneficial. Regular exercise is one of the
best ways to manage stress. Stretching, alone, relieves muscle tension and may
contribute to some relief of lifes many strains. (Wilmer,Lange and Greenwell, 2012)
A provocative theory on the effect of strategies used to cope with stress may
explain mental and physical health variations among ethnic groups. When people are
under chronic stress, they tend to smoke, drink, use drugs and overeat to help cope.
These behaviors trigger a biological cascade that helps prevent depression, but they
also contribute to a host of physical problems that eventually contribute to early death.
(Nauert,2010) The following statements of informants show their coping mechanism
about their experiences:
Minsan dinadaan ko nalang sa inom ng alak,minsan sa yosi,minsan sa
pagkain,pero madalas tinutulog ko nalang para hindi ko na naiisip ang mga problem
( Informant # 3)
Kapag madami akong iniisip napapadalas ang pag yoyosi ko,lalu na kapag
kinakabahan ako. Tapos kapag hindi ako makatulog sa gabe uumiiinom ako ng alak
( informant # 5)
Kapag lasing ako!, Kapag lasing ako nakakalimutan ko mga problema ko, kaya
kapag may trabaho nakakalimutan ko din kahit papano yung hirap kasi minsan
nalalasing na ako pero hindi ko pinapahalata (Informant #6)

Statements above shows majority of the informants engaged in alcohol drinking

and smoking as an outlet to release their stress and cope with their problems.

Mahilig na talaga akong magayos sa sarili ko,bago pa ako mapunta sa

ganitong trabaho, masaya ako kapag may inayusan akong iba o kaya inaayusan
ako, dati akong nagtrabaho sa parlor kaso mahina yung kita doon (Informant #1)
Kapag minsan din nagpapa manicure at pedicure din ako, para kahit
papaano na rerelax naman (informant #3)
Kapag gusto ko makalimot sa mga problema, nagpapaganda ako,nag
make up ganyan,minsan kung may extrang pera nag papa parlor ako, Bakit pa
ako iinom ng alak, sa trabaho alak na nga lagi db? Kaya dinadaan ko nalang sa
pagpapaganda (informant #2)
Narerelax ako kapag nag papayos ako sa mga kasama ko at
nagpapalinis kame ng mga kuko sa kamay at paa (Informant # 4)

The statements of the informants above shows almost all of them allotting time
for themselves to relax by doing what they love to do or doing things that will make them
forget their problems.

Subtheme: The Great Depth of Feelings

The great depth of feelings refers to the emotional aspects of the coping
mechanism used by the informants to surpass their problems. Its important to learn
ways to relax your mind. Exposing internalized feelings in a controlled situation is a
healthy way to cope with stress. Participating in activities that you enjoy and that allow
for some form of expression is also helpful. Engaging in a hobby or creative activity or
providing care for pets or others through volunteer work can all be beneficial forms of
expression. (Wilmer,Lange and Greenwell, 2012)

Emotion-focused coping involves trying to reduce the negative emotional

responses associated with stress such as embarrassment, fear, anxiety, depression,
excitement and frustration. This may be the only realistic option when the source of
stress is outside the persons control. This includes keeping yourself busy to take your
mind off the issue, letting off steam to other people, praying for guidance and strength,
ignoring the problem in the hope that it will go away and distracting yourself. (McLeod,
2010) The following are evidence of emotional coping mechanism utilized by the
informants:
Noong bago bago palang ako madalas akong umiyak, halos gabi gabi nalang ata noon
umiiyak ako hanggang sa masanay nalang ako (Informant # 1)
Siyempre umiyak ako,tapos tumawag nalang ako sa family ko para hindi ako masyado
malungkot (Informant #2)
Naiiyak talaga ako, Naisip ko nung una, tama ba talaga ang ginagawa ko?, Umiyak
talaga ako ng sobra,pero inisip ko nalang na para sa mga kapatid ko itong ginagawa ko.
Nag dasal ako noon, Tinawagan ko mga kapatid ko para kahit papaano mawala yung
iniisip ko. Yun, buti nalang nakalimutan ko kahit papaano. (Informant #3)
Dati naalala ko, madalas akong umiiyak bago matulog,lalo na nuong first time ko, tapos
lagi akong nag kukwento at kinakausap ng mga kasama ko,ayun gumagaan naman
pakiramdam ko (Informant #4)
Masasabi ko malaking tulong ang pag iyak at mga kaibigan ko sakin, dahil sa kanila
nakakatagal ako dito (Informant # 5)
Sa trabaho naming ito madami na akong naranasang hirap,pero kaylangang
magpakatatag para sa sarili para sa pamilya, konting iyak konting tawa,tapos na,pero
mahirap lalo na nuong una (Informant #6)

The statements of the informants above shows that all of them found crying as a
way to cope with their situation. Crying is their way to express their emotions and to
lessen the burden they carrying. Also family support plays a big role for them to release
their guilt and to seek for comfort.

Subtheme: World Around Me

World around me refers on how the people around or the social support of the
informants contributes on their coping process. Social support is the perception and
actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other people, and that one
is part of a supportive social network. These supportive resources can be emotional
(e.g., nurturance), tangible (e.g., financial assistance), informational (e.g., advice), or
companionship (e.g., sense of belonging) and intangible (e.g. personal advice). Social
support can be measured as the perception that one has assistance available, the
actual received assistance, or the degree to which a person is integrated in a social
network. Support can come from many sources, such as family, friends, pets,
neighbors, coworkers, organizations, etc. Government provided social support is often
referred to as public aid. (Uchino, 2010)
Emotional support is the offering of empathy, concern, affection, love, trust,
acceptance, intimacy, encouragement, or caring. It is the warmth and nurturance
provided by sources of social support. Providing emotional support can let the individual
know that he or she is valued. It is also sometimes called esteem support or appraisal
support. Companionship support is the type of support that gives someone a sense of
social belonging (and is also called belonging). This can be seen as the presence of
companions to engage in shared social activities. (Taylor,2011) The following
statements are evidence of social support utilized by the informants:

Minsan tinatawagan ko din yung boyfriend ko,nagkakamustahan

kami,kwentuhan, ganun. Lagi niya akong tinatanong kong kumusta na ba daw ba ako?
Tapos lagi niya akong sinasabihan na alagaan ko daw ang sarili ko (Informant #3)

Bawal kasi kaming lumabas at mamasyal,kaya kami-kami lang ng mga kasama

ko dito ang madalas magkasama. Ayun kapag walang trabaho,nagkukwentuhan
kami,bonding,minsan napag sasabihan ko din sila ng problema (informant #2)
Tumatawag ako minsan sa mga kaibigan ko,lalo na kapag walang
trabaho,nakakainip din kasi minsan,tapos nakukwento nila na hirap din sila sa buhay.
Wala kasi mga trabaho mga yun,umaasa lang sa asawa. Kaya naiisip ko mas mabuti ng
ganito, at least may trabaho db? (Informant #6)

Majority of the informants seeks social support as a form of coping

mechanism to their problems as evidenced to the statements above. They found it as
an outlet to release their stress and boredom. Also social support motivates them to
continue their work as a Pink card holder.

Subtheme: Divine Intervention

Divine intervention refers to the spiritual life of the informants and how does it
affect their coping process. Spirituality as a useful and valid coping strategy for certain
populations. Multicultural psychology recognizes the broad scope of culture, the role of
context, environment, history and sociopolitical conditions that are part of life
experiences. Multicultural psychology provides a basis on which spirituality may be
recognized as a valid therapeutic resource in the practice of psychological counseling.
Recognition of spirituality in the field of multicultural psychology represents a major shift
from the way spirituality was viewed in traditional psychology.(Jackson,2009 cited by
Lewis,2012)
Spirituality as a coping mechanism can be observed to be a powerful resource in
the provision of comfort, peace, and resolution. (Jacinta,2011) This can be observed on
the following statements of the informants:

Umiyak talaga ako ng sobra,pero inisip ko nalang na para sa mga kapatid ko

itong ginagawa ko. Nag dasal ako noon.(Informant #3)
Kapag umuuwi ako sa amin lagi akong nagsisimba effective naman gumagaan
pakiramdam ko (Informant# 4)
Siyempre hindi ko din naman nakakalimutan mag dasal kapag gabi,lalo na
kapag may problema,hindi ka nya papabayaan (Informant# 5)

Statements of the informants above shows that prayers is a good way to comfort
themselves. Spirituality as a coping mechanism for them is a powerful resource in the
provision of comfort, peace and resolution for their situation.