Facilitating Factors To Coping

Facilitating Factors To Coping Despite all the hindering factors to coping, the participants were able to specify the factors in their micro systems, mezzo systems, and macro systems that encouraged or facilitated the family’s coping process. These include elements that mitigate the harsh effects of the loss of their loved one.

BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

Table 21

Biological Factors that Facilitate Coping

Main themes Family as source of strength Sub-themes 1. 2.

Family looking out for each other

Becoming each other’s strength

192

Two out of the 10 participants shared that their family became a source of strength for them and served as a reminder for them to take care of their health. They shared that their family looked after each other’s well-being, which facilitated good health. The participants also claimed that it was their children and grandchildren who urged them to sleep and eat properly.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

Table 22

Psychological Factors that Facilitate Coping

Main themes Family as source of strength Sub-themes 1. 2. 3.

Parent/s’ presence and advice

Prioritizing the children’s welfare

Family relying on family emotional support

Psychological strengths 1. 2. 3. Distraction as a way to cope Mindfulness Sharing narratives to cope

As with the above, seven of the 10 participants claimed that it was from their family that they gained strength. One of them claimed that the presence of her parents helped her stay mentally stable, as her parents gave her advice and guidance on how to go forward and take care of her own children. She claimed, “Si mama ko po yung madalas kumakausap sakin sa mga bagay-bagay [tungkol] sa anak ko. Si mama ko po yung [gumagabay] sa akin kung ano yung dapat kong gawin at nagsasaway sa mali kong ginagawa.” (My mother always talks to me about my child. She [guides] me on what to

do and points out my mistakes). Five of them shared that prioritizing their children’s welfare resulted in them being more mindful of their and their children’s emotions, as they recognized that their children would be affected the most if they did not take better care of themselves. For three of the participants, sharing emotions with the family and relying on each other helped them cope as they felt stronger knowing they were dealing with the problem together.

Six participants utilized their internal strengths. The participants employed different mechanisms and perspectives to cope healthily, with four participants distracting themselves through talking to friends and listening to music, among others. One participant found catharsis in sharing her story to other people, as she found that her fear had slightly decreased and her feelings got lighter after sharing. Two participants recognized the need to be mindful of their own well-being, as they felt that through self-betterment, they could find the strength to move forward. According to “Claire”,

Napagtanto ko po na hindi naman ibig sabihin na magpapahinga ka [ay] hindi mo na haharapin trabaho mo e. Ire-rest mo lang yung isip mo para makapagisip ka pa na[ng] mas maganda, kaysa yung pipilitin mo nang pipilitin na makapag-isip ka ng solusyon. (I realized that resting does not mean that I won’t face my problems. I’ll just rest my mind so I can think clearly, instead of forcing myself to immediately think of solutions).

Meanwhile, according to “Veronica”, who stopped her vices and started working again, “’Ayoko maging mahina talaga,’ lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila ‘yan.” (’I really do not want to feel weak,’ that is what I always tell them).

SOCIAL FACTORS

Table 23.

Social Factors that Facilitate Coping

Main themes External Support Sub-themes 1.

Being able to socialize with friends and neighbors 2. Holistic support from organizations such as SOW or PAGHILOM 3. Community support

Prioritizing Safety 1. Change of residence

193

Nine out of the 10 participants claimed that external support facilitated their coping process. Four interviewees claimed that being able to socialize with friends and neighbors gave them a chance to not hyper-focus on their problems. One respondent shared, “Tumatambay ako [kasama ang mga kaibigan ko] para mawala po [yung lungkot].” (I hang out [with my friends] so the [sadness] can go away). Seven participants shared that receiving holistic support from organizations such as SOW or PAGHILOM helped them survive and gave them the strength to move forward. These organizations provided in-kind assistance, financial and livelihood services, and psycho-spiritual assistance to the bereaved families. It is important to note the respondents’ claim of PAGHILOM and SOW being able to serve as the family’s safe space where they could show their vulnerabilities without having to fear judgement from others. Meanwhile, six respondents highlighted the importance of the community support they received. Some of the participants’ communities provided financial support for the burial and emotional support, while some even managed the deceased’s wake and burial.

According to “Natalie”, having these external support systems ultimately showed her that “Kahit masakit sa kalooban ko [na] namatayan ako, may mga tao pa palang mabubuti” (Even though it hurts me that I was bereaved, there are still good people).

One participant shared that they prioritized their safety, thus they temporarily changed their residences. It brought them peace of mind knowing that their family was safe.

SPIRITUAL FACTORS

Table 24

Spiritual Factors that Facilitate Coping

Main themes Spiritual guidance Sub-themes .1.

Strengthened spirituality

194

Five participants shared that having spiritual guidance helped them cope after the incident. Four participants said that praying and doing church or volunteer work helped them deal with their emotions and alleviated their insecurities. One of them claimed that she started believing in God more and she was able to make peace with her situation better. Common among them is leaving their problems and fate up to God and the belief that justice will be served by God.

The biological and psychological factors of having their family as their source of strength are supported by National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. ‘s (NASWEI) case studies published in 2017. The study also supports the finding of this research on holistic external support from community, church organizations, and relatives being able to