Solution focused thinking and resilience: mediating effect of depression, anxiety, and stress among young adults in Davao del Sur, Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51798/sijis.v6i2.1002Keywords:
solution focused thinking, depression, anxiety, and stress, resilience, convergent mixed method, Philippines.Abstract
Studies on resiliency revealed Filipino’s ability to bounce back from crisis situations. In this study, the mediating effect of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) on the influence of solution focused thinking (SFT) on the resilience of young Filipino adults in Davao del Sur was determined. A convergent mixed-methods design was utilized, allowing for the collection of data from both survey tools and semi-structured interviews. Using purposive random sampling, there were 519 respondents surveyed, and 8 participants interviewed. The statistical tools used were mean, standard deviation, and regression analysis, while Colaizzi’s method was utilized to explicate the qualitative data. Results of the study revealed high level of solution-focused thinking and resilience; however, participants exhibited high levels of depression and stress, with severe anxiety. There was no direct relationship found between SFT and resilience, while DAS was found to have significant influence on resilience. Also, the mediating effect was significant reporting that SFT lowers DAS of respondents, and higher DAS increases resilience of young Filipino adults. The experiences of young Filipino adults further explained the results reporting themes on resilience-shaking adversities (uncertainty about life, psychological distress, and socio-economic and relationship issues), and resilience-building initiatives (ability to reframe one's thought, goal-oriented actions, and internal and external support). Corroborated findings were used as basis for an SFT program to reduce DAS symptoms and strengthen resilience of young Filipino adults in Davao del Sur.
References
Anonymous (March 16, 2023). Gen Z Pinoys have more mind health conditions than the rest of the world's youth. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.axa.com.ph/multimedia/newsroom/gen-z-pinoys-have-more-mind-health-conditions
Avci, D. & Ataç-Öksüz, M. (2023). The relationship between resilience and solution-oriented thinking in nursing students. Nurse Education in Practice, 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103813.
Bartley, A., Beddoe, L., Hashemi, L., Rahimi, M., & de Fossard, S. (2024). Social work students in Aotearoa New Zealand: The impacts of financial hardship on mental and social wellbeing. Social Work Education, 1-21.
Bonanno, G.A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, Vol 59(1), 20-28.
Britt,T.W., Adler, A.B., & Bartone, P.T. (2001). Deriving benefits from stressful events: The role of engagement in meaningful work and hardiness. J Occupational Health Psychology, 6(1): 53.
Bucknell, K.J., Kangas, M., & Crane, M.F. (2022). Adaptive self-reflection and resilience: The moderating effects of rumination on insight as a mediator. Personality and Individual Differences. Volume 185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111234
Charney, D.S., & Southwick, S. M., itz, B.T., & Friedman,M.J. (2011). Resilience and mental health: Challenges across the lifespan. American Journal of Psychiatry. Cambridge University Press. https:/doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15020181
Chen, C., Bian, F. & Zhu, Y. The relationship between social support and academic engagement among university students: the chain mediating effects of life satisfaction and academic motivation. BMC Public Health 23, 2368 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17301-3
Creswell, J.D., Welch, W.T., Taylor, S.A., Gruenewald, J.D., & Mann, T. (2012). Self-Affirmation Improves Problem-Solving under Stress. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000074.
De Shazer, S., & Berg, I. K. (1997). What works? Remarks on research aspects of solution focused brief therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 19, 121−124.
De Shazer, S., Dolan, Y., Korman, H., Trepper, T., McCollum, E. and Berg, I.K. (2021) More than Miracles the State of the Art of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Routledge, New York. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003125600.
Dela Peña, K. (2023). Optimism not seen among poor Filipinos as it rises for those who haven’t gone hungry. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://asianews.network/optimism-not-seen-among-poor-filipinos-as-it-rises-for-those-who-havent-gone-hungry/
Dela Rosa, G.M., Webb-Murphy, J.A., Johston, S. (2016). Development and validation of a brief measure of psychological resilience: An Adaptation of the response to stressful experiences scale. Military Medicine, 181, 3:202. http://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00037
Deniz, E.U. & Tasgin, A. (2024). The mediating role of self-efficacy between solution-focused thinking skills and psychological resilience among pharmacy students in Turkey. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpe.2024.101306
Denzin, N. & Lincoln, Y. (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Fletcher, D., & Sarkar, M. (2013). Psychological resilience: A review and critique of definitions, concepts, and theory. European Psychologists. 18, 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000124
Flores, J.L., Hernandez, M.A., Leyva, E.W., Cacciata, M., Tuazon, J., Evangelista, L. (2018). Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and distress among Filipinos from low income communities in the Philippines. Philipp J Nurs. 2018 Jul-Dec;88(2):8-13. PMID: 33935304; PMCID: PMC8088195. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8088195/#R14
Garay, G., Garay, M.C., & Martinez, H. (2020). Resilience amidst adversity: The many faces of resilience in Filipinos. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research. Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp: (327-335).
Giovenco, D., Shook-Sa, B. E., Hutson, B., Buchanan, L., Fisher, E. B., & Pettifor, A. (2022). Social isolation and psychological distress among southern U.S. college students in the era of COVID-19. PLoS ONE, 17(12), Article e0279485. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279485
Grant, A. M. (2022). Solution‐focused coaching: The basics for advanced practitioners. Coaching Practiced, 311-322.
Grant, A.M, Cavanagh, M.J., Kleitman, S., Spence, G., Lakota, M. & Yu, N. (2012). Development and validation of the solution-focused inventory. The Journal of Positive Psychology, Vol. 7, No. 4, 334–348.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2012.697184
Habibi, M., Ghaderi, K., Abedini, S., & Jamshidnejad, N. (2016). The effectiveness of solution- focused brief therapy on reducing depression in woman. International Journal of Education and Psychological Researches 2,(4),244.
Havnen, A.M., Anyan, R.E., Friborg, O., Martinussen, L.A., & Solem, L.W. (2020). The role of self-efficacy and resilience in the recovery from Covid-19 stress. Frontiers Psychology. Vol. 11, Pages. 574872
Johnson, D.C., Polusny, M.A., & Erbes, C.R, et al. (2011). Development and initial validation of the Response to Stressful Experiences Scale. Military Medicine, 176(2): 161–9.
Karahan, F. Ş., & Hamarta, E. (2020). The relationship between solution-focused thinking, depression, anxiety, stress and psychology well-being among university students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 10(59), 649-660.
Kashdan, T.B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 885–878.
Labasano, Amylyn, Incidence of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Among Senior High School Students (August 12, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4104166 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4104166.
Litvinova, A. (2022). Goal setting among students with different levels of academic achievement. Integration of Education. 26. 708-721. https://doi.org /10.15507/1991-9468.109.026.202204.708-721.
Liyanage, S., Saqib, K., Khan, A.F., Thobani, T.R., Tang, W-C, Chiarot, C.B., AlShurman, B.A., & Butt, Z.A. (2022). Prevalence of anxiety in university students during the covid-19 pandemic: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(1):62. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010062
Lovibond, S.H. & Lovibond, P.F. (1995). Manual for depression anxiety and stress scales (DASS21) Second edition. Sydney, NSW: Psychology Foundation of Australia; 1995. pp. 1–3.
Lyu, C., Ma, R., Hager, R., & Porter, D. (2022). The relationship between resilience, anxiety, and depression in Chinese collegiate athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 13:921419 https://doi.or/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.921419
Maravilla, N.M.A.T, & Tan, M.J.T ( ) . Philippine Mental Health Act: Just an act? A call to look into the bidirectionality of mental health and economy. Frontiers in Psychology. 12:706483. https://doi.or/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.706483
McKergow, M., & Stellamans, A. (2011). Restoring the client’s choice of action. InterAction – The Journal of Solution Focus in Organizations, 3, 98–105.
Menguito, M. L. M., & Teng-Calleja, M. (2010). Bahala na as an expression of the filipino's courage, hope, optimism, self-efficacy, and search for the sacred. Philippine Journal for Psychology, 43(1), 1-26.
Nicomedes, C.J., Gamad, M.J. & Dinglasa, J.V., Mañas, J. & Patricio, L.A. (2020). An exploration of Filipino resilience of young adults in the 21st century. https://doi.or/10.13140/RG.2.2.13317.63200.
Puyat, J.H., Gastardo-Conaco, M.C., Natividad, J.N., & Banal, M.A. (2021). Depressive symptoms among young adults in the Philippines: Results from a nationwide cross-sectional survey. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, Volume 3, 100073.
Rand, K., Shanahan, M., Fischer, I., & Fortney, S. (2020). Hope and optimism as predictors of academic performance and subjective well-being in college students. Learning and Individual Differences, 81, 101906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101906
Regencia, Z. J. G., Ladia, M. A. J., Montoya, J. C., Gamalo, M., Gouin, J. P., & Baja, E. S. (2024). Association between body appreciation and depression, anxiety, and stress among Filipino emerging adults: Modification by age and sex at birth. Philippine Journal of Science, 153(2). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.13924.96642.
Reich, J.W. (2006). Three psychological principles of resilience in natural disasters. Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 15 No. 5, pp. 793-798.
Reiss, F., Meyrose, A-K, Otto, C., Lampert, T., Klasen, F., Ravens-Sieberer, U. (2019). Socio-economic status, stressful life situations andmental health problems in children andadolescents: Results of the German BELLA cohort-study. PLoS ONE 14(3): e0213700. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213700
Robinson, M.D., & Tamir, M. (2011). A task-focused mind is a happy and productive mind: A processing perspective. In K. Sheldon, T. Kashdan, & M. Steger (Eds.), Designing the future of positive psychology: Taking stock and moving forward (pp. 160–174). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Sağar, M. E. (2022). The effect of solution-focused group counseling on the resilience of university students. E-International Journal of Educational Research, 13(1), 103-117. https://doi.org/10.19160/e-ijer.1034931
Serrano, I.M.A., Cuyugan, A.M.N., Cruz, K., Mahusay, J.M.A. & Alibudbud, R. (2023). Sociodemographic characteristics, social support, and family history as factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among young adult senior high school students in metro Manila, Philippines, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry. Volume 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1225035.
Smith, B. W., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Tooley, E., Christopher, P., & Bernard, J. (2008). The brief resilience scale: assessing the ability to bounce back. International journal of behavioral medicine, 15(3), 194-200.
Smith, J. & Doe, A. (2020). The Role of Depression as a Mediator of the Relationship between Solution Focused Thinking and Resilience. Journal of Positive Psychology, Vol. 15, pages 123-134.
Tan, G. X., Da, Soh, X.C., Hartanto, A., Goh, A.Y., & Majeed, N.M. (2023). Prevalence of anxiety in college and university students: An umbrella review. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 14, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100658.
Ungar, M. & Theron, L. (2020). Resilience and mental health: how multisystemic processes contribute to positive outcomes. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(5), 441-448. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30434-1.
Usán, P., Salavera, C., & Quílez-Robres, A. (2022). Self-Efficacy, optimism, and academic performance as psychoeducational variables: Mediation approach in students. Children (Basel, Switzerland), 9(3), 420. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9030420
Van de Velde, J. (2024). Building Resilience in Young People: The Power of a Solution-Focused Mindset.
Vejano, J. G., Ibarondo, H. S., Diaz, P. M. & Barcos, A. S. (2021). Attitude and help-seeking behavior of gen z towards mental health: An assessment. Universitas, 9(2).
Wu, D., Yu, L., Yang, T., Cottrell, R., Peng, S., Guo, W., & Jiang, S. (2020). The impacts of uncertainty stress on mental disorders of Chinese college students: evidence from a nationwide study. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 243
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Jeric Anthony Arnado, Sheena Grace B. Enfesta, Sherill Mae Joy Blanco, Leojane C. Torres, Jovelle Bandaan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
