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Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Friendships play an important role in adolescent development. They serve

socioemotional functions as they provide adolescents social support as it give a sense

of belongingness, and shape beliefs (Oswald & Clark, 2003). Friendship found in high

school is particularly special and is believed to be long-lasting because you have been

through all your highs and lows and, somehow, you two are still going stronger than

ever (Sakellariou, 2016). This kind of friendships are particularly important because

they provide acceptance, respect, trust, intimacy, enjoyment, spontaneity, stability, and

self-disclosure opportunities (Cole & Bradac, 1996). However, it can be challenged by

situations such as a change of school, starting a new school term (after summer vacation,

or when starting high school), changing friends, experiencing adverse events such as

being bullied, or suffering a medical illness which can cause separation anxiety

(Figueroa et al., 2012).

Separation anxiety is an excessive fear or anxiety about separation from home or

an attachment figure (Eisen, et al., 2011). According to Psychology (2018), separation

anxiety usually develops after a person experience an event that can be identified as a

major stressor, such as loss. This might be the death of a loved one or pet, change of

school or environment, separation of parents, or other factors that separates an

individual from loved ones for a period of time.

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A study conducted by Kamble and Podder (2016) showed that majority of the

hostelite children experience mild to moderate level of separation anxiety in India. The

anxiety level of the children is significantly reduced as their age and educational level

is increased. Prevalence of anxiety disorder is very common in school going children

about 10-15% of all school children can experience separation anxiety at some time, for

variety of reasons.

Separation Anxiety is an inappropriate and excessive anxiety concerning

separation, actual or imagined, from home or major attachment figures, causing

clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning (Carmassi et al., 2015). Signs

of having separation anxiety include, extreme and severe crying, refusal to do things

that require separation, disturbed sleep, elevated feelings of anxiety, excessive fear, and

immediate longing (Johnson, 2017).

In the Philippines, little is known about separation anxiety in the elderly

population despite numerous studies that examined the impact of separation and

separation anxiety to individuals due to the fact that most studies focuses on children.

However, a grounded theory study by de Guzman, et al. (2015) intends to describe the

process of separation anxiety among imprisoned Filipino elderly men. Four main phases

emerged from the study: Winkling, Wilting, Weeding, and Weaving, which provide a

greater understanding of how Filipino elderly inmates experience the process of

separation anxiety.

As discussed above, the friendship in high school is special and it plays an important

role in adolescence development but separation may occur in these times due to some
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circumstances. The researchers chose to conduct the study in Central Mindanao

University Laboratory High School because it caters both Junior High School and

Senior High School wherein Junior High School students have the option to transfer to

another school after they move up from Grade 10 and Senior High School students

graduate and move to college. They would look into: the person’s feeling who

experienced separation, the effects of separation to the person, and the coping method/s

of the person experiencing separation anxiety.

Statement of the Problem

The study aimed to acquire information for deeper understanding of separation

anxiety. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What does a person feel when he/she is separated from someone close?

2. What is/are the effect when a person is separated from someone close? ; and

3. What is/are the coping method/s of the person experiencing separation anxiety?

Scope and Delimitations

The study made use of data collected from student of Central Mindanao

University Laboratory High School who has the highest score in the preliminary conduct

through questionnaire and has the signs of having separation anxiety. It only focused on

the experiences on separation anxiety towards friendship of the participants. The

research gives emphasis to the feelings before, during and after, the effects on behavior

and the coping mechanisms of the participants experiencing separation anxiety. For the

reason that these information is helpful for deeper understanding of separation anxiety.
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Significance of the Study

The information that was gathered in this study will benefit the students who

have experienced, experiencing and will experience separation anxiety because it will

be an instrument for the students to vent out their feelings and experiences. This will

help the students cope with their anxiety. This will also benefit the friends and parents

of the person who underwent, who is undergoing, and who will undergo separation

anxiety in their awareness of the condition. Same goes with teachers, this will make

them cautious towards students because this will help them see that separation anxiety

is already happening. This study will also benefit the people who are not aware that they

are experiencing separation anxiety already. This will increase the common awareness

of people to the students’ who underwent, who is undergoing, and who will undergo

separation anxiety, and it will encourage the people to be considerate of the students’

feelings.

Theoretical Framework

Friendship plays a significant role in the development of adolescents. They serve

socio - emotional functions as they provide social support to adolescents as they create

a sense of belonging and shape beliefs (Oswald & Clark, 2003). According to Pecchia

(2016), high school is a great opportunity to meet a variety of different people, resulting

in a few close friendships and a lot of introspection. Relationships in this stage begin to

maintain a focus on shared values, loyalty, and common interests, rather than physical

concerns like proximity and access to play things that more characterize childhood
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(Zelazo, 2013). However, friendship can be challenged by situations such as a

graduation, transferring to another school, starting a new school term, changing friends,

experiencing adverse events such as bullying, or suffering from a medical condition that

can cause separation anxiety (Figueroa et al., 2012).

Separation anxiety an excessive display of fear and distress when faced with

situations of separation from the home or from a specific attachment figure (American

Psychiatric Association (APA)). It may cause significant negative effects within areas

of social and emotional functioning, family life, and physical health of the disordered

individual (Ehrenreich, 2008).

When a person experiences a negative event that leads to separation from

attachment figures, an individual could worry. It could be a constant, excessive concern

over the loss of a parent or other loved one to a disease or disaster (Edwards, 2019). An

individual would worry that something bad will happen, such as being lost or kidnapped,

causing separation from parents or other loved ones. The loss of someone, like

separation, may leave on empty in the absence of a person who may have provided

purpose and structure to life (Peteet, 2011). As stated by Segal, Kemp, and Smith

(2018), a person could experience confusion, fear and isolation towards the forthcoming

separation as it represents the shared loss of companionship.

When separation happens, one may still find it difficult and emotional no matter

how shallow or deep the reason is (Duffey, 2015). The presence of sadness conforms to

the presence of hurt, worry and emptiness. It is normal to feel sadness, anger, frustration

and even exhaustion but it can still be overcome by shock and confusion, resulting in
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prolonged periods of sadness or depression. (American Psychology Association, 2019).

If a person goes through separation and it was not his/her decision to separate, there

may be feelings of pain and suffering. Separating might lead to thoughts like losing

someone that makes a person feel distressed (Gordon, 2018).

According to Firestone (2006), it is more fearful to lose a person when they mean

more in one’s life. One must try to accept their feelings, even if they do not like them.

Jackson (2016), stated that if you had a good friendship for a long time, and you will

always miss the person especially when separated for a long time. When they make

one’s life valuable and meaningful, the thought of losing that person becomes scarier.

Relationships Australia (2014), mentioned that we can be irritable, prone to

forgetfulness and experience feelings of confusion and doubt after separation.. For

others, security might involve emotional security, like developing trust in a relationship,

(even when away) or it might mean feeling secure in one's own body (Griffin, 2018).

According to Fernandez (2017), individuals with separation anxiety tend to experience

extreme anxiety, and sometimes panicking when loved ones become out of reach. They

can be withdrawn socially or show extreme sadness when away from loved ones. It may

affect the quality of life of the person. One of the horrible hallmarks of any type of

anxiety is the tendency to overthink everything. The anxious brain is hypervigilant,

always on the lookout for anything it perceives to be dangerous or worrisome (Peterson,

2013). Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying is a normal

response to sadness, but it’s not the only one Segal and Smith (2018).
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In a study by Feiner (2015), it stated that one will have more time for herself

when a person undergoes separation. In that sense, having more time for oneself means

that, one can study to divert one's attention resulting in improving the person's study

habits. According to Chapman (2017), undoubtedly, the bond you shared is special and

unparalleled with your long-distance friend. Even though your friendship does not have

the luxury of being near with each other, and only meet each other once in a while. With

long distance friends, a person can’t live without, every hang out is seized. Talking to

one’s classmates while your best friend/s may have left, can be a way to know a few

other people around school. It can be a means to improve one’s relationship with friends

you do not know as well. (Hyatte, 2018). Tishgart (2012), said that there is a healthy

balance between keeping in touch with friends and taking some space and time for

yourself. Living far from each other might lead to more obstacles than a friend who

lives down the road, but that is what makes it so amazing when you reunite (Chapman,

2017).

There are lot of ways to cope with separation anxiety, MentalHealthAmerica.net

(2019), suggested that crying can be a physical expression of sadness. The expression

of feelings is recommended to handle the anxiety. Tears, sadness, and grief is also a part

of the healing process (Everyday Health, 2017). It helps to cope with the situation by

accepting the situation as what it is. No desire for anything else or to reject the situation

(or yourself) will change anything. However, you can at least begin to address the

problem by confronting it. Soothing the pain by accepting the present and having

compassion for yourself as you create a happier, fulfilling future (Phelps, 2014). One of
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the most effective mechanisms for coping is to think positively. Things may not be the

same, but it will make the transition easier when find new activities and friends and

move forward with reasonable expectations (Mental Health America, 2019).

The avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations is a common feature of

separation anxiety (Ehrenreich, 2008). Maintaining yourself busy is helpful in finding

new activities and friends and making the transition easier with reasonable expectations

(Mental Health America, 2019). Communicating is another coping mechanism which

enables you to explain your experiences and needs to someone else. Not only does the

act of communicating help meet the needs, it also helps the connection in a relationship

(Better Health Channel, 2016).

Operational Definition of Terms

For the purpose of clarity and understanding of the study, the following terms

will be defined operationally.

Close friends refers to someone you rely on and can trust. The participant’s

classmates and batch mates are considered to be her close friends.

Coping mechanisms are the strategies used by the participant while facing

anxiety, stress and etc. that can be helpful to manage emotions and the self.

Effect is referred as the changes in behavior after the separation.

Physical effect is the observable or tangible changes in behaviors of the

participant after the separation.

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Separation anxiety is the feeling of worry and fear from being separated from

the squad of the participant before, during, and after an event or an uncertain outcome.

Squad refers to the group of friends which have known each other for a long

time and experiences a lot of things together. The senior friends of the participant are

considered to be her squad.