COVID-19 Stressors on University Employees’ Mental Health: Basis for the Development of an Enhancement Program

This study was conducted to determine the level of COVID-19 stressors on mental health among employees of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Arevalo), Inc. during the second semester of the school-year 2021-2022. A validated and reliability-tested questionnaire was used having 0.86 index using Cronbach alpha. Results revealed that the level of COVID-19 stressors on employees’ mental health, when taken as an entire group was “Moderate,” which means that the COVID-19 stressors moderately affected the employees’ mental health. Female employees had the highest level of COVID-19 stressors, which affect their mental health more than males. Moreover, among the age groups, those 56-60 years old had the lowest level of COVID-19 stressors, which affected their mental health. Single employees had a higher level of COVID-19 stressors than married. One-way ANOVA showed no significant differences in the COVID-19 stressors on employees’ mental health in terms of age, length of service, and educational attainment but significant on employees’ position in the university. The t-test of independent samples showed a significant difference in the COVID-19 stressors on employees’ mental health when classified according to sex while no significant difference when classified according to civil status. The researchers recommend to create a proactive mental health programs to inculcate awareness and action on female employees’ mental health and wellbeing such as conduct of webinars on coping mechanisms and work-life balance; collaboration with mental health professionals like Department of Health (DOH) psychologists to offer free digital services or online consultations; and hosting talks with inspirational female leaders.