CHAPTER I

PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Introduction

Today, mental health has become a major concern, especially for

students juggling the rigorous academic environment. Students in higher

education frequently face tremendous academic pressure, which can raise

their stress and anxiety levels. These mental health issues have a big impact

on students' lives in many ways, including their academic performance. With

an emphasis on the experiences of Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT)

students, whose education necessitates both technical accuracy and

theoretical comprehension, this study investigates the relationship between

mental health and academic laboratory performance.

Students frequently experience anxiety and stress due to a variety of

factors, including academic workload, time management, and performance

expectations. Cognitive functioning, focus, and decision-making abilities—all

crucial in laboratory settings—can be hampered by these mental health

issues. Understanding how stress and anxiety impact students' performance

is essential for developing strategies to support their mental health and

improve learning outcomes, especially considering the demanding technical

requirements in AMT programs. In educational research, the connection

between academic achievement and mental health is well-established.

But the requirements of AMT programs which call on both mental and

physical agility offer a unique setting for research. Due to the intense focus
and accuracy required for laboratory exercises, pupils are more susceptible

to the detrimental effects of mental health conditions. The study intends to

clarify how stress and anxiety affect students' capacity to fulfill the technical

demands of their training by investigating this link. The report also

emphasizes how critical it is to create a nurturing learning environment

where mental health is given top priority.

By offering academic support, stress management programs, and

counseling services, educational institutions can significantly reduce the

negative impacts of stress and anxiety. Resolving AMT students' mental

health concerns can benefit their academic performance, readiness for the

workforce, and general well-being. In summary, this study emphasizes how

important mental health is to academic achievement, especially in the

unique setting of AMT programs.

The research aims to provide important insights into educational

research and guide ways for promoting mental health and academic success

by examining the relationships among anxiety, stress levels, and laboratory

performance.

Theoretical Background

The Theory of Mental Health Awareness represents the

biopsychosocial model of health, which combines biological, psychological,

and social components to describe mental well-being, can serve as the

foundation for the theoretical framework around mental health for students
studying Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT). Because of the intricacy

and technicality of their studies, AMT students endure high levels of stress.

Biological factors like sleep loss, which is prevalent in rigorous academic

situations, frequently make this stress worse. Psychological issues like

concern about performance and career prospects and perfectionism amplify

the stress reaction. Finally, social variables like peer pressure and

competition play a part in the mental health issues that AMT students face.

According to the Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT), AMT students'

thoughts, actions, and emotional reactions all have an impact on their

mental health. The mental well-being of an AMT student can be greatly

impacted by negative thought patterns like self-doubt or failure-related

anxiety. For example, persistent anxiety brought on by concerns about

meeting professional and academic standards might result in poor emotional

states and academic disengagement. According to the theory, students can

improve their emotional resilience and coping skills by rephrasing their

thoughts and recognizing and confronting these maladaptive thought

patterns.

Another study from Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of

Stress and Coping, the perceived stressors and coping mechanisms of AMT

students might be interpreted as influencing their mental health. According

to the concept, students' perceptions and responses to external demands

such as time restrictions and academic pressure also contribute to mental

health problems. While students who use adaptive coping strategies, such
reaching out for social support or practicing relaxation techniques, tend to

maintain better mental health, those who feel that the expectations are too

great may suffer from emotional distress. Determining whether AMT pupils

suffer from detrimental psychological effects depends on striking a balance

between stress and coping mechanisms.

Lastly, the Social Support Theory is essential to comprehending the

dynamics of AMT students' mental health. Social support such as

instrumental, emotional, and informational help from peers, family, or

teachers is crucial for reducing the negative impacts of stress and improving

wellbeing. Because they may exchange worries, get support, and get

guidance, AMT students who have access to robust social networks are more

likely to have lower anxiety and depression levels. Supportive interactions

are crucial for fostering mental health among AMT students since they have

been shown to mitigate the harmful impacts of stress.

Legal Bases

Pursuant to a comprehensive framework known as the Occupational

Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) was created to protect the welfare,

health, and safety of Filipino workers. OSHS was created in accordance with

the Philippine Labor Code and is administered by the Department of Labor

and Employment (DOLE). Its goal is to avoid occupational diseases, injuries,

and fatalities. Personal protective equipment (PPE) use, fire safety, chemical

handling, electrical safety, and ergonomics are only a few of the many safety
procedures that are covered by the standards. OSHS encourages a safe and

effective workplace by enforcing compliance, especially in sectors like

manufacturing, construction, and aviation where risks are inevitable.

Moreover, The Philippines' historic Mental Health Act (RA 11036) places

a strong emphasis on the integration of mental health services within the

country's healthcare and education systems as well as their promotion and

protection. The statute emphasizes how crucial it is to establish supportive

environments that cater to the mental health issues faced by Aviation

Maintenance Technology (AMT) students. Institutionalized mental health

programs that emphasize stress management, counseling, and crisis

intervention are beneficial to AMT students, who frequently face demanding

academic and technical requirements. To help guarantee that these students

receive the attention they require for their academic and emotional well-

being, educational institutions are obligated by the Act to set up mental

health services and programs.

Further, the "Bawal Bastos Law," also known as the Safe Spaces Act

(RA 11313), guarantees that everyone, especially students, are shielded from

gender-based sexual harassment in public places, workplaces, educational

institutions, and online. This rule is essential for creating a respectful and

safe learning environment for students studying aviation maintenance

technology (AMT), allowing them to flourish without worrying about

harassment. Catcalling, unsolicited advances, offensive remarks, and any

other behavior that fosters an intimidating or hostile environment are all

forbidden. To effectively prevent and handle such instances, educational

institutions must set up explicit anti-harassment rules, assign reporting

channels, and train staff and students.

Literature Review

The Effect of Anxiety on Academic Performance Anxiety is a common

mental health illness that has been shown to have a major detrimental

impact on academic performance, particularly for students in high-stress

settings like laboratory-based courses. According to studies, anxiety can

affect cognitive performance, resulting in issues with memory, focus, and

problem-solving (Sadeghi et al., 2021).

Laboratory courses can be especially stressful for students in academic

medical or allied health areas, such as those in Aircraft Maintenance

Technology (AMT), with high expectations, time limits, and difficult tasks

making anxiety levels worse (Higgins et al., 2020). Increased anxiety is

linked to poor laboratory performance, according to research by Singh and

colleagues (2022). This is because students frequently find it difficult to

handle practical tasks while coping with physiological indicators of anxiety,

such as tense muscles and elevated heart rate.

Their capacity to conduct practical work may also be impacted by

these symptoms, which could result in errors and poorer academic

achievement overall. Anxiety can have a significant effect on performance

among AMT students, where technical accuracy is essential, influencing both

academic results and practical skills (Krishnan et al., 2023).

Stress and Its Impact on Academic Performance Research has

demonstrated that stress, particularly long-term stress, impairs cognitive

abilities like memory, attention, and decision-making (Sloan et al., 2020).

AMT students may experience higher levels of stress when taking laboratory-

based courses, which call for intense concentration and fast decision-making.

These students' performance expectations, which are frequently combined

with the demands of keeping up grades and mastering difficult technical

skills, lead to elevated stress levels (Rodriguez et al., 2021). AMT students'

stress levels were found to be negatively correlated with their academic

performance in laboratory courses in a study by Bhatia et al. (2023).

According to the study, students who reported feeling more stressed

outperformed worse on practical tests and made more mistakes when

working in the lab. Furthermore, it was discovered that stress causes

burnout, which over time may have an even greater impact on students'

academic performance and engagement (Bhatia et al., 2023).

The Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety, and Laboratory Performance

Understanding how stress and anxiety interact is essential to understanding

how these elements affect laboratory performance. According to research,

stress and anxiety are both common and frequently made worse when

coupled, which has a more noticeable impact on academic performance

(Miller et al., 2020). In a laboratory setting, for instance, anxiety may make a

student feel more stressed, and stress might make a student feel more

anxious, resulting in a vicious cycle that impairs performance.

This dynamic in AMT students was investigated in a study by Chua and

Tan (2022), who discovered that students who had high levels of stress and

anxiety were less able to complete laboratory tasks well and frequently felt

overburdened during practical assessments. According to the research, by

lessening the negative consequences of these mental health issues,

interventions like mindfulness exercises or stress management seminars that

aim to reduce anxiety, or stress may help students perform better in the lab

(Chua & Tan, 2022).

Coping Mechanisms and Support Networks Coping mechanisms and

support networks are crucial for reducing the detrimental effects of stress

and anxiety on academic achievement. Students who used productive coping

strategies, like time management, social support, and self-care routines,

were better equipped to handle the demands of laboratory-based

coursework, according to a study by Lee et al. (2021). Students who lacked

coping mechanisms, on the other hand, frequently expressed higher levels of

stress and anxiety, which consequently had a detrimental effect on their

performance.

Furthermore, it has been discovered that students' anxiety and stress

levels are considerably decreased by institutional support, such as peer

support groups, counseling services, and stress reduction initiatives (Yang &

Lee, 2024). Offering these support systems can be essential in improving

students' academic performance and well-being in AMT programs, where

laboratory courses have significant emotional and cognitive demands (Yang

& Lee, 2024).

Future Directions and study Gaps Although a lot of study has been

done on how stress and anxiety affect academic performance generally,

there are still few studies that particularly address AMT students. Future

studies could look more closely at the difficulties these students encounter in

lab environments, considering elements like curriculum design, availability to

lab equipment, and teaching strategies that could affect students' stress and

anxiety levels.

Furthermore, additional longitudinal research is required to examine the

long-term impacts of ongoing stress and anxiety on AMT students' academic

paths, particularly regarding skill retention and the development of clinical

competencies. Additionally, investigating the efficacy of certain interventions

designed for this population, including stress-reduction methods based in

virtual reality or mindfulness training, may yield insightful information for

enhancing student outcomes (Khan & Ahmad, 2023).

Related Studies

According to a study from a university school, it investigates and

compares the levels of stress, anxiety, depression among undergraduate

students in the Aerospace Professional Pilot concentration. This study is to

determine if Aerospace students exhibited higher levels of depression,

anxiety, and stress. A survey instrument that measures three separate

constructs, depression, anxiety, and stress. The results of this study found

that Aerospace students did not exhibit higher levels of depression, anxiety,

or stress and that non-Aerospace students scored higher in all three

categories. (Harley Waters, 2022).

Aiming to determine the role of work-life balance on work stress

experienced by Aircraft Maintenance Technicians. The result of this study

showed the three dimensions of work-life balance - Work Interference with

Personal Life (WIPL), Personal Life Interference with Work (PLIW), and Work-

Personal Life Enhancement (WPLE). Individually, WIPL and PLIW significantly

increased stress, while WPLE has no significant effect. A low level of WIPL

and PLIW will reduce work stress levels in aircraft maintenance technicians,

highlighting the need for organizations to support technicians in managing

work-life balance. (Cucunda Resi Anggarini, Indrayanti, 2021).

One study emphasizes how academic burdens affect students' mental

health, demonstrating that high workloads frequently lead to stress,

exhaustion, and a pessimistic view of academic achievement. Due to the

technical and precision-oriented nature of their training, where errors can

have major repercussions, AMT students are especially vulnerable. More than

90% of technical students, according to research, admit that their workload

 has an impact on their wellbeing. This highlights the necessity for well-

balanced academic systems that prioritize mental health.

Students' mental health issues have been made worse by the COVID-

19 pandemic. Anxiety and depression rates have sharply increased because

of disruptions to learning environments, loneliness, and uncertainty about

one's future. Due to their heavy reliance on practical instruction, AMT

students encountered difficulties, such as restricted access to useful

workshops and simulations. These interruptions highlight how crucial it is to

incorporate mental health resources into technical education to treat both

immediate and long-term issues.

Delivering training on stress management and resilience, creating

supportive peer networks, and delivering mental health counseling are some

ways to address these problems. Prioritizing mental health requires schools

and universities to set up programs that address the psychological and

emotional needs of their students. Additionally, educating children about

mental health in AMT programs can motivate them to use the options and

seek assistance that are accessible.

Research Flow
Theories

Theory of Mental Health

Legal Bases
Awareness
Occupational Safety and
Mental Health Awareness
Health Standards (OSHS)
entails acknowledging the
significance of mental health Mental Health Act (RA 11036)
in relation to general well-
Input Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313)
being and being aware of the
difficulties
Data on: people encounter
in preserving their mental
 Profile of the Respondents
 Received Students Level of Awareness on Mental Health
 Process

Statistical Treatment:

 Simple Percentage, Weighted Mean

Output

Proposed Recommendation

Figure 1. Research Flow

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

The main objective of this study is to determine the relationship

between Anxiety, Stress Levels, and Academic Laboratory Performance of 2 nd

and 3rd UBAMT students for the S.Y. 2024-2025.

This study endeavors seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents?

1.1 Age
 1.2 Sex

1.3 Year Level

2. What specific factors contribute to increased anxiety and stress during

academic laboratory activities?

3. Is there any significance in the correlation between anxiety and stress

levels and academic performance in laboratory settings?

4. Are there differences in the impact of anxiety and stress on

performance based on demographic variables (e.g., gender, year of

study)?

5. What recommendations can be made from the results of the study?

Significance of the Study

Grasping these relations is vital in formulating ideas that can help

address mental health issues of specific AMT students. The research aims at

enhancing the academic outcome and general welfare of students thus

bettering the health prospects of the University of Bohol space.

Students - The study's importance for the students lies in their

growing understanding that stress and anxiety have an impact on academic

achievement as well, particularly in the Aircraft Maintenance Technology

Emphasis. Once students are aware of these relationships, they can take

proactive steps to maintain their mental health, which improves their

academic success. Additionally, the study might result in better mental

health resources on campus, encouraging students to get treatment when

needed and fostering an atmosphere that supports their academic and

health goals.

Faculty and Staff - Faculty and staff benefit from this research

because it helps them cope with AMT students by gaining an understanding

of their mental health concerns. By dissecting this link, instructional

strategies that cater to students' academic aptitudes can be developed,

improving both the learning environment and the degree of support provided

to students. The results may also highlight the necessity of mental health-

focused professional development for staff and faculty members to help

them deal with students who have mental health issues.

School Administrators - Given the findings of this study, school

officials would benefit from knowing how it might be applied to centers and

policies that support kids' mental health. By observing students, it will be

possible to identify the elements that negatively affect their academic

performance and implement strategies that will ultimately improve mental

health, which is one of the finest outcomes. These elements will also improve

the overall atmosphere of educational institutions, making them more

welcoming to prospective students who want to succeed academically and in

their personal growth.

 Parents - The proposed study will help the parents of the youth to

encourage their sons/daughters to take better care of their mental health

issues and to properly perform laboratory projects.

Community – The study would encourage young aircraft mechanics to

practice mitigating their mental health and to take responsibility for their

own actions.

Government – This study could help the aviation authority to know

what policies and regulations they implement when it comes to handling

their mental health during work hours.

Future Researchers – The study will benefit and help the future

researchers as their guide to their own study for the upcoming future.

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