CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
B. Framework of the Study
C. Statement of the Objectives

The current research determined the status of mental health of the students in
the Mariano Marcos State University, College of Engineering.

Specifically, the study aimed to attain the following objectives;

 Determine the mental health condition of the respondents
 Identify who the respondents seeks whenever they experience mental health
problems;
 Identify the main causes of mental health issues
 Determine how the respondents treat a person that is struggling from mental health
issues;
 Determine the proper way of handling and managing mental health.

The study generally assessed the perception of Engineering students on mental

health status.
Specifically, it seeks answer to the following questions:
1. How would you rate your mental health? (1 as excellent and 5 as bad)
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
2. Who do you turn to when you’re experiencing a mental health problem?
a. Parents
b. Friends
c. Psychiatrist
d. Siblings
e. Partner
f. Others: ___________
3. What causes mental health issues?
a. Illness
b. Stress
c. Homesickness
d. Environment
e. Negative thoughts
f. Poverty
g. Discrimination
h. Grief
 i. Other: __________
4. How do you handle a person who is struggling with mental health illness?
a. Comfort them
b. Enlighten them
c. Being a good listener
d. Sharing positivity
e. Being understanding
f. Other: __________
5. How do you manage your mental health?
a. Meditation
b. Doing relaxing activities
c. Social media detox
d. Focusing on positivity
e. Getting Enough Sleep
f. Other: __________

D. Operational Definition of Terms

For the purpose of the clarity and vividness of the paper, the following terms
were defined as they were used in the study.

Mental Health. This refers to the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of
a person.

Engineering Students. These are students that are studying in Mariano Marcos State
University. They are used as the respondents in this study.
 ABSTRACT
The research study was conducted in order to develop a deeper perception on the
status of the mental health of college students in MMSU College of Engineering. This study
utilized a quantitative research design wherein a sample of 25 random students per
department namely (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Ceramic, Computer, and) were given set of
questions to answer.
The result showed that stress, negative thought and the environment are the main
causes of mental health problems or challenges. Furthermore, the findings indicated that
having enough sleep and doing relaxing activities are the best ways to cope up with stress and
reduce its effect on a person’s mental health.
 CHAPTER II
METHODOLOGY
This chapter represents the research design, population and sampling, data gathering
instrument, data gathering procedure, ethical considerations, plan for data analysis, and flow
chart of the study.

A. Research Design
A quantitative methods study was chosen as the design for this research to
enable an in-depth exploration of how the engineering student of Mariano Marcos
State University perceive on mental health status. The researcher attempted to get the
answer to the aforementioned problem and to justify and satisfy the objectives of the
study. A survey is conducted to determine and evaluate the different status of the
engineering students on mental health. Using this design, the researcher finds out the
perception of engineering students on mental health status.

B. Locale of the Study

The study was conducted at Mariano Marcos State University, College of
Engineering. The College of Engineering (COE) was formally established in 1986
although it has its beginnings in 1982 when civil, mechanical, and electrical
engineering started as curriculum offerings of the then MMSU Institute of
Technology (IT). The courses were offered both in Laoag and Batac campuses under
the supervision of the IT dean. This place was selected since the researcher are
engineering students and it will be very convenient to do research in the field where
they belong.

C. Population and Sampling

The sampling design used was Stratified Sampling. This sampling design
employs a procedure in which the population were divided into subgroups based on
their course then samples are chosen through a randomized sampling with a specific
target number of respondents.
The respondents of this study were the selected Engineering students. The
researchers had randomly selected fifty respondents from each six (6) department of
the said population.

D. Data Gathering Instrument

The researchers utilized a structured questionnaire using Google Forms
containing nine (9) questions to gather the needed data. The questionnaire generally
includes: three (3) questions for Part I – the student’s profile and five (5) questions for
Part II – questions about mental health status. The researchers sent the Google Forms
to the selected three hundred (300) Engineering students.

E. Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers presented the Statement of the Objectives of the research
study to the research adviser for further clarifications before conducting the study.
Upon approval, research’s questionnaire was prepared and shown to the adviser for
comments and suggestion before conducting the study. The questionnaires in Google
Forms were administered by the researchers and were sent to the respondents.
The data of the study were distributed and collected by the researchers using a
semi-structured interview questionnaire.
F. Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations were complied with full consent was obtained from the
participants prior to the study. Respect for the dignity of research participants was
prioritized. Research participants were not be subjected to harm. Adequate level of
confidentiality of the research data was ensured. Anonymity of individuals in the
research was ensued and affiliations in any form, sources of funding, as well as any
possible conflicts of interests had been declared Any type of communication in
relation to the research was done with honesty and transparency.

G. Plan for Data Analysis

The tools that were used in analyzing the data of the study are mean,
frequency, and percentage. (Further discussion is needed)

H. Flow Chart

Problem Statement

Research Objectives

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Results and Findings

Recording and Interpreting Data

Making Conclusions and Recommendations

Finalizing the Report

 CHAPTER III
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This chapter presents, analyzes, and interprets the data gathered by the researchers. In
order to a have clear understanding of textual presentation, the data gathered are presented in
tabular and textual form.
Table 1.1
Mental Health State of the Engineering Students
Choices Frequency Percentage
3 65 43.33%
2 34 22.67%
4 28 18.67%
5 (Bad) 13 8.67%
1 (Excellent) 10 6.67%
Total 150 100%

The table above shows that 43.33% assess their mental health with 3 which can be
considered as normal, 22.67% rate their selves with 2 – good, 18.67% rate themselves with 4,
8.67% evaluate themselves with 5, and 6.67% thought that their mental health in an excellent
level.
This implies that Engineering students have a normal mental health status. Having a
good mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness. It means that a person is in
a state of wellbeing where they feel good and function well in the world. When a person has a
good mental health, they might have emotions including happiness, love, joy, and
compassion, and they feel generally satisfied with life.

This is supported by Evans (2020) that some people never experience poor mental
health, some go through a phase of their lives where they struggle with their mental health,
while others have longer-term conditions. Good mental health might have a different
meaning in each person, but it’s generally understood to mean being able to think, feel and
react in the ways that a person needs and want to live their life as fully and independently as
possible.

Table 1.2
Individuals that Engineering Students Can Confide with when Experiencing a Mental
Health Problem
Choices Frequency Percentage
Friends 112 41.33%
Parents 71 26.20%
Partner 38 14.02%
Siblings 27 9.96%
Others (None/Myself, God, Pastor) 20 7.38%
Psychiatrist 3 1.11%
Total 271 100%
 The table above shows that 41.33% confide with their friends, 26.20% chooses to talk
to their parents, 14.02% find companionship with their partner, 9.96% turn to their siblings,
7.38% chooses others like asking God’s help, and 1.11% percent chooses to seek help from a
psychiatrist.
This implies that Engineering students prefer to confide with their friends when they
are highly experiencing a mental health problem. Humans are social beings, and friendship is a
fundamental human need. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, friends and intimate
relationships are human’s top psychological needs. Friends helps oneself avoid loneliness and
isolation, boast confidence and self-esteem, and a sense of belonging. Friends can keep oneself
grounded, help get things in perspective, and help oneself manage life's problems.
This is supported by Knudsen (2017) that being among peers during times of stress
may offer adolescents an open, supportive, and rewarding space which may help dampen the
emotional turbulence that adolescence can bring.
Table 1.3
The Causes of Mental Health Issues According to the Engineering Students
Choices Frequency Percentage
Stress 124 44.13%
Negative Thoughts 90 32.03%
Environment 22 7.83%
Poverty 11 3.91%
Discrimination 10 3.56%
Illness 9 3.20%
Homesickness 9 3.20%
Others (Grief, Pressure) 6 2.14%
Total 281 100%

The table above shows that 44.13% stress causes mental health problem, 32.03% are
gain from negative thoughts, 7.83% are from environment, 3.91% are from poverty, 3.56%
came from discrimination, while illness and homesickness both have 3.20% and 2.14%
percent came from others like grief and pressure.
This implies that stress is more likely to cause mental health issues in Engineering
students. Stress is a normal response to situational pressures or demands, especially if they
are perceived as threatening or dangerous. When stress becomes overwhelming and
prolonged, the risks for mental health problems and medical problems increase. Long-term
stress increases the risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, substance
use problems, sleep problems, pain and bodily complaints such as muscle tension.
It collaborates with Vats, & Sharma (2017), engineering students are frequently
expected to be the best, but this is difficult to achieve when they must balance issues in their
personal and academic lives. The stress level in engineering students goes to high heights to
the point that it already compromises the mental health of students due to the harsh
requirements, mind-boggling tests and assignments, the pressure of the project deadlines, and
terrifying teachers, among other factors
 Furthermore, Iliades, C., MD, & Bass, P. F., III MD. (2013) state that stress can be a
trigger for severe depression in teens and may trigger mental illness in young adults who are
vulnerable. The stress level of a students goes to high heights to the point that it is already
Table 1.4
Approach of the Engineering Students to a Person Who is Struggling with Mental
Health Illness
Choices Frequency Percentage
Being a good listener 103 31.02%
Comfort them 78 23.49%
Sharing Positivity 60 18.07%
Being Understanding 55 16.57%
Enlighten them 36 10.84%
Total 332 100%

The table above shows that 31.02% deal with a person a person who is struggling with
mental illness by being a good listener, 23.49% tend to comfort them, 18.07% chooses to
share positivity, 16.57% tried to understand them and 10.84% make an effort to enlighten
them.
This implies that being a good listener is the best characteristic that a person must
have in dealing with or helping a person who is struggling with mental illness. Good
listening helps you to understand the experiences of your loved one with mental illness and
helps him to feel heard and eventually more willing to cooperate to solve problems. Listening
quietly, without engaging in problem-solving, signals that you are on that person’s side. This
simple gesture can validate the other person’s experience.
This is supported by Hoffman E. (2017) that having an empathetic listener can be
calming and reassuring – even healing. Listening empathetically allows the listener to really
hear and understand what is being said. It also makes it easier for the other person to feel they
can talk freely without being judged.
Table 1.5
Coping Mechanism of Engineering Students on Managing their Mental Health
Choices Frequency Percentage
Getting enough sleep 84 29.27%
Doing a relaxing activity 62 21.60%
Focusing on Positivity 58 20.21%
Social Media Detox 38 13.24%
Meditation 35 12.20%
Others (online games, praying) 10 3.48%
Total 287 100%

The table above shows that 29.27% try to cope up with mental health problems by
getting enough sleep, 21.60% chooses to do a relaxing activity, 20.21% decided to focus on
positivity, 13.24% prefer social media detox, 12.20% opt for a meditation, and 3.48%
chooses to do others like playing online games and praying.
 This implies that getting enough sleep is the best mechanism that a person must do in
coping up with mental health issues. Sleep is closely connected to mental and emotional
health and has demonstrated links to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other
conditions. Sleep is an essential and involuntary process, without which a person cannot
function effectively. Also, sleeping helps to repair and restore one’s brains, not just
one’s bodies.
This is supported by Suni E. (2022) that sufficient sleep, especially REM sleep,
facilitates the brain’s processing of emotional information. During sleep, the brain works to
evaluate and remember thoughts and memories, and it appears that a lack of sleep is
especially harmful to the consolidation of positive emotional content. This can influence
mood and emotional reactivity and is tied to mental health disorders and their
severity, including the risk of suicidal ideas or behaviors.
 CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the conclusion and recommendation of the study.
Conclusions
Recommendations
1. Further study should be conducted regarding the perception of Engineering students
on mental health status. The researchers also recommend this study as a reference for
other enthusiasts who would like to make a similar study.
2. It is recommended that further study should be conducted measuring the over-all
academic performance of the students and their mental health status.
REFERENCE
20131 Stress. (n.d.). CAMH. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-
addiction-index/stress
Berry, S. (2017, September 5). Why friendships are more important than family for our
wellbeing. The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-
and-wellness/why-friendships-are-more-important-than-family-for-our-wellbeing-
20170905-gybhr2.html
Evans, M. (2020, March 6). What is “good mental health”? https://patient.info/news-and-
features/what-is-good-mental-health
Hoffman, E. (2017, September 27). The Quiet Power of Empathic Listening. Mental Health
First Aid. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2017/07/quiet-power-listening/
Iliades, C., MD, & Bass, P. F., III MD. (2013, April 29). Stress May Trigger Mental Illness
and Depression In Teens - Depression Center. EverydayHealth.com.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/stress-may-trigger-mental-illness-and-
depression-in-teens.aspx
Knudsen. (n.d.). When Teens Need Their Friends More Than Their Parents. Greater Good.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/when_teens_need_their_friends_more_th
an_their_parents
NAMI Main Line PA. (2022, September 23). Communicating with a Loved One Who Has a
Mental Illness | NAMI MAIN LINE PA. NAMI MAIN LINE PA | National Alliance
on Mental Illness. https://namimainlinepa.org/communicating-with-a-loved-one-who-
has-a-mental-illness/
Sleep Matters: The Impact Of Sleep On Health And Wellbeing. (n.d.). Mental Health
Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/
sleep-matters-impact-sleep-health-and-wellbeing
Suni, E. (2022, December 16). Mental Health and Sleep. Sleep Foundation.
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health
Vats, & Sharma. (2017, October). Engineering Students Suffer from the Top Mental Health
Problems & Challenges - Ignited Minds Journals. http://ignited.in/a/55750
APPENDICES
PART I
STUDENT’S PROFILE
NAME (OPTIONAL): _____________________________________________________
1. CONTACT NUMBER: __________________________
2. COURSE:
□ BS in Civil Engineering
□ BS in Chemical Engineering
□ BS in Computer Engineering
□ BS in Electrical Engineering
□ BS in Mechanical Engineering
□ BS in Ceramic Engineering
3. In accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), the
following data gathered will be treated with utmost confidentiality and privacy.

I confirm that the personal data provided herein is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and I am giving my full consent to the 2nd year students to collect, store,
access, and/or process whether manually or electronically.

□ I agree
 PART II

QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE PERCEPTION OF ENGINEERING STUDENTS ON

MENTAL HEALTH STATUS

1. How would you rate your mental health? (1 as excellent and 5 as bad)
f. 1
g. 2
h. 3
i. 4
j. 5
2. Who do you turn to when you’re experiencing a mental health problem?
g. Parents
h. Friends
i. Psychiatrist
j. Siblings
k. Partner
l. Others: ___________
3. What causes mental health issues?
j. Illness
k. Stress
l. Homesickness
m. Environment
n. Negative thoughts
o. Poverty
p. Discrimination
q. Grief
r. Other: __________
4. How do you handle a person who is struggling with mental health illness?
g. Comfort them
h. Enlighten them
i. Being a good listener
j. Sharing positivity
k. Being understanding
l. Other: __________
5. How do you manage your mental health?
g. Meditation
h. Doing relaxing activities
i. Social media detox
j. Focusing on positivity
k. Getting Enough Sleep
l. Other: __________