ABSTRACT

Title: POST-TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES AND COPING MECHANISMS OF THE

SURVIVORS OF THE SUNKEN FASTCRAFT IN POLILLO, QUEZON

Researcher: Eirron Lein E. Moral

Adviser: Jessica A. Sabas , MAN

The study was conducted for the primary purpose of identifying the posttraumatic
experiences and coping mechanisms of the survivors of the sunken fastcraft in Polillo, Quezon.
The descriptive research method was used standardized questionnaire and a part of self-made
questionnaire were utilized in the study. The respondents were selected through purposive
sampling. A total of 124 survivors in the fastcraft accidents were surveyed. This number
represents the total population of the survivors of the accident. The demographics showed that
male is the predominant sex among respondents and falls under 20-40 years of age. Post-
traumatic experiences are sometimes experienced by the respondents in terms of physical and
psychological aspects and seldom in terms of psychosocial aspect. In terms of coping, the
respondents sometimes used coping mechanisms in terms of physical, psychological and
psychosocial aspects. There is a significant difference as to sex of the survivors and the coping
mechanisms in terms of physical and psychological aspect. On the other hand, there were no
significant difference as to sex and psychosocial coping mechanisms of the survivors. There is
also no significant difference between age and the coping mechanisms of the survivors in terms
of physical, psychological and psychosocial aspect. It can be concluded that the traumatic event
has a negative effect in the respondent’s physical, psychological and psychosocial aspect hence,
good coping strategies on physical, psychological and psychosocial health was utilized. A
number of recommendations are offered: Respondents should continue to use positive coping
mechanisms and have a positive outlook,Nursing students must give importance and be sensitive
on handling patients who are a victims of any traumatic event because the study proved that there
is an effect in their psychological aspect; Families must give focus on the concerns with regards
to the complaint of the survivors because it might result to some mental health issues; the
community should be sensitive to the feelings of the survivors of the traumatic accident; An
intervention must be validated or implemented for the survivors; and future researchers may
conduct another study in a bigger perspective to gain more information and to have a more
accurate data.

Keywords: Coping Mechanisms, Trauma, Survivor