Balancing act: Motivation, challenges, coping strategies, and academic performance of college student-mothers

Abstract

This descriptive-correlational study determined the motivation, challenges, coping strategies, and academic performance of college student-mothers. 31 active college student-mothers for the academic year 2020- 2021 responded to the study. A researcher-made questionnaire on motivation and questionnaire on challenges, and an adopted instrument on coping strategies were used. Descriptive statistics employed were mean, rank, and standard deviation, while the inferential statistics used was Spearman Rho Coefficient set at a .05 level of significance. Results revealed that college student-mothers are very motivated to finish their college degree. They were fairly affected by the challenges that they encountered and were predominantly inclined to persist and exert much effort even if faced with very difficult circumstances. Religiosity has been found to be the most prevalent coping strategy used by student-mothers followed by problem-solving in order to overcome their situation. They even exhibit very satisfactory results in their academic performance proving their undeniable academic capability. Moreover, there is no significant relationship between motivation challenges, coping strategies, and academic performance of college student-mothers was considered, motivation. Similarly, academic performance is not a predictor of student mothers' challenges and coping strategies. However, there was a strong correlation and significant relationship between challenges and coping strategies among college student-mothers. The result of the study may provide considerable insight into investigating the motivation, challenges, coping strategies, and academic performance of college student-mothers.