Common students’ problems and interventions to enhance students’ well-being

Abstract

The study aimed to identify and analyze the most common problems experienced by students of Divine Word College of Laoag (DWCL) through the administration of the Inventory of Common Problems (ICP) mandated by the Office of the Fr. President. Data were collected from 1,753 participants between November 18, 2025, and February 11, 2025, using both Google Forms and in-person interviews. A total of 1,658 valid responses (94.58%) were analyzed. Responses were rated using a Likert scale to determine levels of distress, worry, and bother across six domains: academic problems, depression, anxiety, physical health problems, interpersonal problems, and substance use. The highest concern was academic problems (M=1.9915), followed closely by anxiety (M=1.8844), physical health issues (M=1.8770), and depression (M=1.8413). Interpersonal problems (M=1.5994) and substance use (M=1.1045) scored lower but remained relevant. Findings highlight the strong link between academic stress, mental health, and physical well-being, suggesting the need for holistic interventions. This study provides empirical evidence to guide the institution in improving student support systems, contributing to the broader discourse on student welfare in the Philippine higher education context.