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ISOLATED SOULS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INQUIRY

ON THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF CHILDREN
WITH PARENTS WORKING ABROAD

______________________________________________________

A Dissertation
Presented to the
Faculty of the Senior High School
MANUEL S. NASSER SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
La Union, San Isidro Davao Oriental

______________________________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment of
The Requirement in Inquiry, Investigation and Immersion
(Qualitative Research)

______________________________________________________

MADELIENE TUTOR
MARIANIE BONGCAYAT

March 2020
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APPROVAL SHEET

This research study entitled “ISOLATED SOULS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL

INQUIRY ON THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF CHILDREN WITH PARENTS
WORKING ABOAD,” prepared and submitted by Madeliene Tutor and Marianie
Bongcayat, in partial fulfillment of the requirements in the Inquiries, Investigation
and Immersion, has been examined and is hereby recommended for approval and
acceptance.

RUELAN T. IMPAS, Ed. D.

Research Adviser
__________________________________________________________________

PANEL OF EXAMINERS
APPROVED by the Panel of Examiners on Oral Examination with a grade of
PASSED.

KENNETH JOHN L. FLORES, MAEd

Chairperson

HANNAH P. QUIMPAN, MAST Edna E. Umlas

Member Member
___________________________________________________________________

ACCEPTED and APPROVED in partial fulfillment of the requirements in the

Inquiries, Investigation and Immersion.

ROSALLEE B. VILLAMOR
Head Teacher I

March 2020
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ABSTRACT

The purpose for conducting this phenomenological research approach is to generate

an understanding and describe the lived experiences of children with parent working

abroad. There were 12 participants in the study, six for the in-depth interview and

another six informants for the focus group discussion which revealed that children have

various challenges experienced after their parent worked abroad, able to perform well

on their studies, and had different coping mechanism adopted to survive.

Eight major themes have emerged during the categorization of data with regards to the

lived experiences of the children these are Unemployment, Poverty, Better education,

Build a House, Disproportioned Chores, Family Break-up, Loneliness, and Sustained

Needs. While in the concept of the performance of the informants in school there were

three major themes including higher grades, maintained grades, and inspirations. The

participants of the study have different approaches on coping up with the changes

brought by having a parent working abroad which are the use of mobile technologies,

self-comfort, and understanding their parents.

In the above context, the Department of Education in collaboration with the school

guidance counselor and teachers have to create policies or programs that would

enable a counciling to those children who have been showing declination on their

school performance and under distressed. Teachers in particular should make

considerations to those children who have lacked parental guidance and lacks on their

financial aspects with regards to school projects and subject matters.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE i

APPROVAL SHEET ii

ABSTRACT iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS iv

LIST OF TABLES viii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ix

DEDICATION xi

Chapter

1 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 1

Purpose of the Study 4

Research Question 4

Theoretical Lens 4

Importance of the Study 6

Limitations and Delimitation 8

Definition of Terms 9

Organization of the Study 9

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2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Literature and Studies 11

Experiences of Children with Parents

Working Abroad 11

School- Related Performance 14

Coping Strategies 16

3 METHOD

Research Design 19

Research Participants 20

Data Collection Procedure 21

Data Analysis 23

Role of the Researcher 25

Trustworthiness of the Study 25

Ethical Consideration 27

4 RESULTS

Participants 30

Categorization of Data 33

Research Question No. 1: What are your 37

experiences as a child with parents
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working abroad?

Research Question No. 2: What are the 46

changes you have encountered
after your parent left to work abroad?

Research Question No. 3: What are your 51

coping strategies as children with
parent working abroad?

Chapter Summary 56

5 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Discussion and Conclusion 58

Implications for Practice 76

Implications for future research 78

Concluding Remarks 79

REFERENCES 80

APPENDICES

A Letter of Request for Research

Instrument Validation

B Validation Sheets

C Interview Guide

D Validation Sheets
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E Participant Verification

F Letter of Asking Permission to Parents

G Letter of Asking Permission

to the School Head

H Certificate of Appearance

CURRICULUM VITAE
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LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1 Participants Information 31

2 Themes and core ideas about the lived experiences of children

with parents working abroad 38

3 Themes and core ideas about changes on their grades 48

4 Themes and core ideas about the coping strategies 53

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The researchers humbly express their sincerest gratitude to the following

persons who have contributed an inspiration, encouragement, valuable assistance,

expertise and the time had made this endeavor a reality. Without their support this

piece of work would not have been possible.

Dr. Ruelan T. Impas, our research adviser, for never ending professional

guidance and expertise extended for the realization of this thesis.

The panel of examiners, Mr. Kenneth John L. Flore, Mrs. Hannah P. Quimpan,

and Mrs. Edna E. Umlas for their opinions, corrections, and relevant suggestions that

added meaning and validity of the study.

Mrs. Rosallee B. Villamor, Head Teacher I, for her allowing the researchers to

conduct the study.

The Junior High School Teaches of Manuel S. Nasser Sr. National High School

for their consent and cooperation for allowing the researchers to conduct the study.

To the Students in Manuel S. Nasser Sr. National High School for rendering their

knowledge, time and effort in answering the research questions and active participation

to the study.

To their classmates and friends for sharing relevant information and making this

endeavor enjoyable and unforgettable.

Most especially to their loving parents and guardian, Mr. and Mrs. Bongcayat,

and Mr. and Mrs. Tutor for their financial support and continued words of wisdoms.
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To those people who were not mentioned, but who in a way have contributed

their time and effort, and talent for the completion of this endeavor.

Above all, to the Almighty GOD, Who blessed them with strength, good health,

sound mind, guidance and courage to finish their study against all odds.

MADELIENE A. TUTOR
MARIANIE A. BONGCAYAT
RESEARCHERS
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DEDICATION

We gratefully dedicate this work to the loving heavenly Father who have guided

us and given the courage to go on despite of all the circumstance. For without him, this

work would be impossible.

To our family who despite of all the troubles we have caused, their patience have

always abided us and fully supported us financially. To our teachers, research adviser

and panelist who have taught us how to do things at hand and giving us enough to

achieve the desired goals of the study.

To all Manuel S. Nasser Sr. National High School staffs, friends, and colleagues

for the inspiration and guidance in developing this study. Truly, this work is dedicated

to them.