KUMUSTA KA? SABAI DEE MAI? Exploring the Well-Being of Southeast Asian Learners towards the Development of a Holistic Self-Care Framework

Ronnie L. Torres, Marlita V. Madera, Loida Basilio

Filipino learners, measures, self-care framework, Thai learners, well-being

This study investigated the physical, affective, cognitive, economic, and social well-being of 862 Filipino and 106 Thai learners from various educational levels specifically, Filipino learners from the elementary, high school, and tertiary levels and Thai students from elementary, junior high school, and senior high school. The survey questionnaire underwent rigorous validation by experts prior to data collection. Filipino respondents “often” experienced healthy affective and cognitive well-being, but faced some physical, emotional, and economic distress. Senior high and college students in the Philippines experienced physical issues like headaches, stomachaches, back pain, sleeplessness, and inactivity, along with emotional stressors such as sadness, anxiety, frustration, and anger. Thai respondents “often” reported healthy overall well-being but “sometimes” experienced financial worries. The study offered a framework to improve the well-being of the physical:by integrating physical education with other subjects to foster a comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience;  economic: incorporating financial literacy into the curriculum or offering workshops covering money management, budgeting, saving, and informed financial decisions;  emotional: by promoting emotional and mental awareness and support and policies,  and social: by implementing measures that will promote authentic communication and socialization beyond the classroom of the student-respondents. This study highlights the need for further research on social media's impact on social well-being and students' digital well-being and its influence on social-emotional learning (SEL).

https://doi.org/10.31871/IJNTR.9.8.9