Post-Pandemic: Coping Strategies and Psychological Well-Being among College Students within Metro Manila, Philippines

The COVID-19 pandemic has really disrupted educational systems globally, impacting students’ psychological well-being and coping strategies. This study aims to evaluate the coping strategies and psychological well-being of Filipino college students in Metro Manila during the post-pandemic period. A Sequential Explanatory Method approach was employed, starting with a survey of 248 students to assess their coping strategies and levels of psychological well-being. Statistical correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between social support and psychological well-being. To further explore these findings, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with a subset of 10 students. Thematic analysis identified key themes such as the role of virtual social interactions, the challenges of online learning, and various coping strategies. The integration of quantitative and qualitative data provided a comprehensive understanding of the students’ experiences, highlighting the critical importance of social support and adaptive coping strategies in maintaining psychological well-being. These findings suggest that “educational institutions should enhance mental health resources and support systems to better assist students in the post-pandemic era.â€