Perceived Stress, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Health of the First-Year College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

Rona M. Guillena (Medical Social Worker, Adventist Medical Center, Iligan, Philippines)
Junge B. Guillena (Faculty, General Education Department, Adventist Medical Center College, Iligan, Philippines)

Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Science
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2022): Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Science

This study determined the relationship between the perceived stress and the mental health of the first-year college students in Adventist Medical Center College Iligan, Philippines for the Academic Year 2021-2022. This study also assessed the moderating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between college students' perceived stress and mental health. The random sample of 208 first-year college students who were officially enrolled and those who took the online class modality for the first semester of 2021-2022. This study utilized a cross-sectional survey design and descriptive-correlation design with the application of moderated regression analysis. Results showed that perceived stress is a significant predictor of mental health. At the same time, self-efficacy does not offer any moderated effect on the relationship between perceived stress and the respondents' mental health. Thus, the perceived stress harms the students' mental health.