2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 10
Divine Word College of San Jose Special Issue
Available Online: 29 April 2026
Author/s:
Ferrer, Jominique Marri U.*
Divine Word College of San Jose, Philippines (jominiquemarriuf@gmail.com)
Rayton, Maria Pura C.
Divine Word College of San Jose, Philippines (maria.pura.crayton@gmail.com)
Galay-Limos, Jenny A.
Divine Word College of San Jose, Philippines (jennygalay05@gmail.com)
Abstract:
This study focused on the challenges encountered, coping mechanisms, and administrative performance of school heads in the Magsaysay district, Occidental Mindoro. The goal was to identify the sources of stress encountered by school heads, study their stress-coping mechanisms, and determine the relationship between stress-coping strategies and administrative performance. The respondents were school heads within the Magsaysay district, and the data were gathered through a validated survey questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale that focused on job stress, self-reported physiological disorders, stress coping mechanisms, and administrative performance, as rated by the IPCRF. The research revealed that school heads use five stress-coping strategies: time management, emotional support, stress-relief routines, socialization, and self-care practices. Despite challenges such as workload pressure, fatigue, commons physical strain, coping mechanisms are high and administrative performance is strong, indicating effective management of professional obligations. Results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between coping mechanisms and administrative performance, with time management, emotional support, and self-care practices showing the most importance. Based on the study, an enhancement program is suggested to improve school heads’ stress management, focus on task prioritization, increase bonding networks, promote self-care, and improve socialization to enhance well-being, and maintain high administrative performance.
Keywords: school heads, stress-coping mechanisms, IPCRF, administrative performance, stress
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26703
Cite this article:
Ferrer, J. M. U., Rayton, M. P. C., & Galay-Limos, J. A. (2026). Challenges encountered, coping mechanisms, and administrative performance of school heads in Magsaysay Occidental Mindoro. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(10), 31-46. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26703
* Corresponding Author