Philippine Social Science Journal

Denying to Embracing: A Mother's Path to Acceptance, Love, and Resilience in Raising a Child with Down Syndrome

Alyanna V. Zabala, Araceli C. Doromal — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Down Syndrome is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the Philippines, presenting significant challenges for families. This qualitative study explores the experiences of five mothers raising children with Down Syndrome, revealing their initial struggles with denial, managing expectations, behavioral issues, caregiver fatigue, and anxieties about the future. However, the study finds that these mothers ultimately learn to accept their child's condition, embrace their role, and find strength in love and faith. This research emphasizes the need for increased public awareness and support for families affected by Down Syndrome. It also recommends future research incorporate diverse perspectives from fathers, siblings, and families from various backgrounds to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and coping mechanisms associated with raising a child with Down Syndrome.

Exploring the Role of Video Games in Reducing Academic Stress among Filipino Students

Lowel L. Urian, Maria Lourdes L. Chavez — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 03:44:12 +0000

This qualitative study explores how Filipino undergraduate students perceive video games as a coping mechanism for academic stress. It examines student views on video games' benefits, identifies helpful game characteristics, and explores integration into academic routines. Through multiple-case analysis of ten student cases, the research generates individual case reports and a cross-case report. Four prominent themes emerge: video games offer stress relief and relaxation, foster social interaction and community, provide cognitive skill practice and development, and motivate time management. Consistent with prior research, the findings suggest video games can be a valuable resource for managing academic stress.

Queer Bodies as Im/Mobile Infrastructure: A Textual Reading of Two Pandemic Stories in the Provincial Context

Marfy M. Cabayao — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 04:08:02 +0000

This paper examines the "queer body" as an im/mobile infrastructure, constantly navigating a heteronormative society that historically denies queer individuals a sense of belonging. Extending the concepts of mobility as capability and the body as infrastructure, the study analyzes the embodied movement and interaction of queer bodies. Through queer textual analysis of personal pandemic narratives from two Negrense queers in the Philippines, it reveals how these bodies maintain social, spatial, and existential mobility despite lockdowns. The narrators' experiences illustrate how queer bodies, as im/mobile infrastructures, utilize inner capabilities like emotions, concepts, and imaginations to navigate life spaces. These spaces offer queer bodies mobility to engage with others, spaces, and places, enabling them to live authentically with themselves and others.

Unpacking the Resilience-Performance Nexus in African MSMEs: A Systematic Literature Review

Felix Tete, Laurine Chikoko, Noah Ariel Mutongoreni — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 09:13:17 +0000

This systematic review examines the crucial link between resilience and performance in African Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). By analyzing existing literature, the study identifies key factors driving MSME resilience and their impact on business performance. Findings highlight that adaptive capacity, sound financial management, market responsiveness, and strong networks are essential for enhancing both resilience and performance. These insights underscore the need for targeted support systems to bolster MSME sustainability and competitiveness, offering valuable guidance to policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working towards fostering sustainable economic development across Africa.

How Social Media Influencers Shape Consumer Perceptions and Buying Behavior at Inland Resorts: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry

Christine Mae G. Montenegro, Nenette D. Padilla — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 09:24:24 +0000

As influencer marketing evolves, understanding its impact on specific industries becomes crucial. This mixed-methods study examines the influence of social media influencers (SMIs) on consumer perceptions and buying behaviors within the context of inland resorts. Using surveys and interviews with resort guests, the research measures the perceived impact of SMI characteristics on consumer decisions. Quantitative data is analyzed through mean and standard deviation, while qualitative data is explored using Lichtman's 3Cs thematic analysis. Findings indicate a strong influence of SMIs on consumer perception and purchasing behavior, with identified themes providing valuable insights for developing effective marketing strategies. This study highlights the need for further research on the role of SMIs in the broader hospitality and tourism sector.

Standards-Based Teaching and Learning in a Catholic School: Benchmarking from the Standards of Quality in Basic Education

Marisa B. Petalla — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:34:01 +0000

Amidst the crises faced by the Philippine educational system, several reform movements promote standards-based teaching and learning. This descriptive-comparative study determined if differences exist in the extent of implementation of standards-based teaching and learning in a senior high school program of a private university. The study utilized 46 teachers and a stratified random sample of 227 students who completed a modified research questionnaire. Mean, standard deviation, and one-way analysis of variance were employed in data analyses. The findings revealed excellent implementation as assessed by teachers and very good implementation as assessed by students. Further, significant differences were found in the extent of implementation when students were grouped according to strand, but no significant difference when teachers were grouped according to teaching experiences and educational qualifications. The findings of the study will be the basis for the formulation of the Content, Delivery, and Assessment (CDA) Plan.

Implementation and Challenges of Jail Services in District Jails in Western Visayas, Philippines

Ermee Joy F. Painaga, Jasmin L. Parreño — Tue, 27 May 2025 04:08:54 +0000

This study assessed the implementation of jail services in district jails within Antique, Philippines, focusing on basic needs, health, livelihood, education, sports, recreation, visitation, paralegal, and religious provisions, relative to population, location, budget, and personnel. Utilizing a quantitative, descriptive, and comparative approach with 153 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) as respondents, the research revealed a generally very great extent of implementation. Notably, assistance for voting-eligible PDLs was the highest-rated service, while insufficient cell ventilation emerged as a top challenge. Implementation varied significantly based on population, location, budget, and personnel, supporting Scheirer's Program and Implementation Theory—that service effectiveness is context-dependent. This underscores how population size directly impacts budget allocation and, consequently, service provision. The findings offer actionable recommendations for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to improve consistency, particularly in smaller jails, by addressing challenges and fostering external linkages for funding and resources. Future research should delve into the "why" behind implementation variations through qualitative methods and explore the impact of these services on PDL reformation.

Perceived Organizational Diagnosis and Employee Commitment of a Maritime College and Training Center in Western Visayas

Ellisther Niña L. Salabas, Nenette D. Padilla — Fri, 30 May 2025 23:04:44 +0000

Understanding organizational diagnosis and employee commitment is crucial for a learning institution's effectiveness and competitiveness. This study, conducted at a Maritime College and Training Center in Western Visayas, Philippines, utilized Preziosi's (1982) Organizational Diagnosis Questionnaire and Allen and Meyer's (2004) Organizational Commitment Tool to examine the perceived organizational diagnosis and employees' organizational commitment. Results indicated the institution operated at an optimal level across all diagnostic aspects (purpose, structure, leadership, relationships, reward system, helpful mechanisms, and attitude towards change), while employees demonstrated high affective, continuance, and normative commitment. A significant correlation was found: optimal organizational functioning directly relates to high employee commitment. This underscores the importance of school administrators prioritizing both organizational diagnosis and employee commitment in strategic planning to ensure high-quality educational and training services, meet standards, and enhance reputation.

Patient Satisfaction of Outpatient Department Services in a Level 1 Private Hospital in Western Visayas, Philippines

Sheryl S. Divinagracia, Joseph G. Guevarra — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 09:11:32 +0000

This study assessed patient satisfaction with outpatient department (OPD) services at a level 1 private hospital, aiming to assess satisfaction across various aspects (doctors, nurses, access, appointments, and facilities) based on patient demographics and visit frequency. Using a quantitative descriptive-comparative design and a modified patient satisfaction questionnaire, data was collected from 385 OPD patients aged 18 and above via quota and convenience sampling. Results showed overall satisfaction with doctors, nurses, access, and appointments, but dissatisfaction with facilities. Patient satisfaction also significantly differed based on family monthly income, though not by sex, age, educational attainment, frequency of visit, or number of OPD services availed. These findings highlight the need for facility improvements and equitable healthcare access, providing actionable insights for hospital administrators and policymakers to enhance service quality and patient experience. Future research could expand to multiple hospitals, incorporate more variables, utilize mixed-methods, and employ longitudinal designs for deeper understanding.