A Socio-Psychological Exploration of National Training Service Program (NSTP) Students’ Coping and Support-Seeking in Mental Health Challenges



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Johnnel S. Cagod, Iligan Medical Center College, Philippines

Abstract

Due to academic pressures, societal expectations, and the long-lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, college students' mental health problems have gotten worse in recent years. In the Philippines, these concerns have been noted alongside shifts in help-seeking behaviors and heightened awareness of mental health issues among young learners. In this situation, it's important to know how pupils deal with stress and use support services. The National Service Training Program, which focuses on civic participation, leadership, and community involvement, creates a special social and psychological space where people can learn how to cope and ask for help. This study examines the experiences of NSTP students in navigating mental health difficulties, emphasizing their coping strategies, support-seeking behaviors, and resilience sources. Utilizing Lazarus and Folkman’s Stress and Coping Theory with Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the study examines the interaction of individual beliefs, emotional responses, and social settings in influencing students’ well-being. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with deliberately chosen NSTP students and later analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings aim to clarify emotional difficulties, efficient coping strategies, and the critical impact of parental, peer, and institutional support.


Paper Information

Conference: WCSS2026
Stream: Psychology & Social Psychology

This paper is part of the WCSS2026 Conference Proceedings (View)
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Posted by James Alexander Gordon