Chapter 3
results
Operational data collection
Our study, "Navigating Challenges: A Qualitative Study About the Lived
Experiences of Young Workers," utilized a qualitative research design in order
to comprehend the actual challenges young workers encounter. Using this
method, we were able to gather rich and detailed information firsthand from
the participants since the richness of their lived experiences.
The research procedure began with careful preparation of a list of questions
to be asked via interviews. The interview questions were carefully prepared to
address our research goals, such as key issues like the participants' working
environment, issues they encountered, their coping strategy, and overall
opinions about working as young adults. We employed a semi-structured
interview procedure, which provided a balance between structure with the
interviewee having space to elaborate on their ideas and make spontaneous
contributions.
After preparing the questions, we went on to conduct the interviewing
process. The interviews were done in an environment that provided comfort
and privacy to the respondents, and by doing so, making them free to express
their experiences without any fear. To ensure that we captured their remarks
appropriately, we employed a mobile phone in recording the interviews. This
was done as it is easy to use, reliable, and can record voice loud and clear,
and hence nothing was left out during the interviews.
After conducting the interviews, the audio recordings were transcribed word
for word. Transcription was a labor-intensive process, as we had to listen
carefully to each recording and convert the words into text. We were careful to
maintain the participants' own words, tone, and emotional expressions so that
the data would be faithful to their experiences. This was necessary, as it
ensured that the data would accurately reflect the real nature of the
experiences of the young workers. After the transcription was completed, the
data was logically organized in a tabular format. The table was an organized
means of presenting participant responses, and it enabled us to easily see
patterns, salient themes, and significant differences. Each table row
represented a specific interview question, and the columns represented the
various responses from participants. This structuring of data not only made
the analysis easier but also facilitated the easy location of key information and
the determination of significant insights from the data.
Finally, this structured yet adaptable research methodology allowed us to fully
submerge ourselves in the lives of young workers so that we can provide a
sound basis for examining their struggles, resilience, and outlook in today's
workplace.
Operational data analysis
The overall aim of this qualitative research is to learn about the most
significant barriers faced by young workers in their workplaces and determine
how they cope with these problems in their daily life. The research utilizes
thematic analysis, a qualitative method that identifies patterns and
relationships in qualitative data, to code responses into applicable codes,
categories, and themes.
Data used in this research was collected through semi-structured interviews
conducted among young workers. The participants were asked to provide
their experiences through a list of open-ended questions that covered different
aspects of their work life, such as challenges they face, how they deal with
stress, how they balance work and studies, and how their work responsibilities
affect their personal growth.
Following data collection, the interviews were transcribed and carefully
examined. Thematic analysis was then employed to deconstruct the
responses systematically into smaller, manageable units of meaning called
codes. These codes were capable of capturing very specific ideas or
experiences reported by the participants, such as the phrases "struggling to
communicate with customers" and "stress-eating as a coping mechanism."
The second step was to categorize similar codes into more general
categories. For instance, codes about workplace problems, like
communication issues or scheduling problems, were all categorized under
"Workplace Challenges." Lastly, themes were constructed through looking for
patterns within the categories. Themes such as "Communication Barriers" and
"Resilience and Adaptability" were found, which are the general concepts that
encapsulate the participants' experiences.
The thematic analysis unearthed a rich description of the struggles of young
workers. Communication and time management problems at work are
common. The participants respond to such problems by employing social
support systems alongside individual coping mechanisms. Even though the
majority of them still grapple with work-life balance problems, the same
problem also instills resilience and agility in them that allows them to survive
despite adversity.
By analyzing these themes, the current research provides valuable insight into
the lives of young workers. It highlights the need for more nurturing
workplaces and better ways to support young workers in their dual roles and
responsibilities.
Participants demographic profile
The participants in this study exhibit a range of demographic characteristics,
providing insight into their backgrounds, including age, gender, education,
income, ethnicity, and employment history.
The participants’ ages range from 19 to 24 years old. The youngest
participants, P1 and P2, are both 19 years old, while the oldest, P5, is 24. P3
and P4 fall in between, at 20 and 21 years old, respectively. In terms of
gender, the group is predominantly female, with four out of the five
participants identifying as such (P1, P3, P4, and P5), while P2 is the only
male participant.
Regarding education, all participants have attained a Senior High School
(SHS) level of education. This commonality suggests a similar educational
foundation, though their career paths and financial situations vary.
In terms of income, there is a notable disparity among participants. P1 reports
the highest monthly income at PHP 14,000, while P2 earns the least, with a
monthly income of PHP 3,000. P3, P4, and P5 earn PHP 8,000, PHP 6,000,
and PHP 10,000, respectively. These differences may reflect variations in job
roles, working hours, and industries.
All participants identify as Filipino, highlighting a shared cultural and ethnic
background. However, their employment start dates show some variation. P5
has the longest employment tenure, having started work on March 23, 2022.
P2 follows, having been employed since April 7, 2023. P3 and P4 began
working more recently, on December 5, 2023, and February 18, 2024,
respectively. P1 is the newest employee, starting work on June 26, 2024.
Overall, while the participants share similarities in age range, education, and
ethnicity, they differ significantly in gender representation, income levels, and
employment duration. These differences may influence their experiences and
perspectives, making their contributions to this study both diverse and
valuable.
Discussion
Our study, "Navigating Challenges: A Qualitative Study About the Lived
Experiences of Young Workers," utilized a qualitative research design in order
to comprehend the actual challenges young workers encounter. Using this
method, we were able to gather rich and detailed information firsthand from
the participants since the richness of their lived experiences.
The research procedure began with careful preparation of a list of questions
to be asked via interviews. The interview questions were carefully prepared to
address our research goals, such as key issues like the participants' working
environment, issues they encountered, their coping strategy, and overall
opinions about working as young adults. We employed a semi-structured
interview procedure, which provided a balance between structure with the
interviewee having space to elaborate on their ideas and make spontaneous
contributions.
After preparing the questions, we went on to conduct the interviewing
process. The interviews were done in an environment that provided comfort
and privacy to the respondents, and by doing so, making them free to express
their experiences without any fear. To ensure that we captured their remarks
appropriately, we employed a mobile phone in recording the interviews. This
was done as it is easy to use, reliable, and can record voice loud and clear,
and hence nothing was left out during the interviews.
After conducting the interviews, the audio recordings were transcribed word
for word. Transcription was a labor-intensive process, as we had to listen
carefully to each recording and convert the words into text. We were careful to
maintain the participants' own words, tone, and emotional expressions so that
the data would be faithful to their experiences. This was necessary, as it
ensured that the data would accurately reflect the real nature of the
experiences of the young workers. After the transcription was completed, the
data was logically organized in a tabular format. The table was an organized
means of presenting participant responses, and it enabled us to easily see
patterns, salient themes, and significant differences. Each table row
represented a specific interview question, and the columns represented the
various responses from participants. This structuring of data not only made
the analysis easier but also facilitated the easy location of key information and
the determination of significant insights from the data.
Finally, this structured yet adaptable research methodology allowed us to fully
submerge ourselves in the lives of young workers so that we can provide a
sound basis for examining their struggles, resilience, and outlook in today's
workplace.
Presentation
The overall aim of this qualitative research is to learn about the most
significant barriers faced by young workers in their workplaces and determine
how they cope with these problems in their daily life. The research utilizes
thematic analysis, a qualitative method that identifies patterns and
relationships in qualitative data, to code responses into applicable codes,
categories, and themes.
Data used in this research was collected through semi-structured interviews
conducted among young workers. The participants were asked to provide
their experiences through a list of open-ended questions that covered different
aspects of their work life, such as challenges they face, how they deal with
stress, how they balance work and studies, and how their work responsibilities
affect their personal growth.
Following data collection, the interviews were transcribed and carefully
examined. Thematic analysis was then employed to deconstruct the
responses systematically into smaller, manageable units of meaning called
codes. These codes were capable of capturing very specific ideas or
experiences reported by the participants, such as the phrases "struggling to
communicate with customers" and "stress-eating as a coping mechanism."
The second step was to categorize similar codes into more general
categories. For instance, codes about workplace problems, like
communication issues or scheduling problems, were all categorized under
"Workplace Challenges." Lastly, themes were constructed through looking for
patterns within the categories. Themes such as "Communication Barriers" and
"Resilience and Adaptability" were found, which are the general concepts that
encapsulate the participants' experiences.
The thematic analysis unearthed a rich description of the struggles of young
workers. Communication and time management problems at work are
common. The participants respond to such problems by employing social
support systems alongside individual coping mechanisms. Even though the
majority of them still grapple with work-life balance problems, the same
problem also instills resilience and agility in them that allows them to survive
despite adversity.
By analyzing these themes, the current research provides valuable insight into
the lives of young workers. It highlights the need for more nurturing
workplaces and better ways to support young workers in their dual roles and
responsibilities.
Interpretation
Our study, "Navigating Challenges: A Qualitative Study About the Lived
Experiences of Young Workers," utilized a qualitative research design in order
to comprehend the actual challenges young workers encounter. Using this
method, we were able to gather rich and detailed information firsthand from
the participants since the richness of their lived experiences.
The research procedure began with careful preparation of a list of questions
to be asked via interviews. The interview questions were carefully prepared to
address our research goals, such as key issues like the participants' working
environment, issues they encountered, their coping strategy, and overall
opinions about working as young adults. We employed a semi-structured
interview procedure, which provided a balance between structure with the
interviewee having space to elaborate on their ideas and make spontaneous
contributions.
After preparing the questions, we went on to conduct the interviewing
process. The interviews were done in an environment that provided comfort
and privacy to the respondents, and by doing so, making them free to express
their experiences without any fear. To ensure that we captured their remarks
appropriately, we employed a mobile phone in recording the interviews. This
was done as it is easy to use, reliable, and can record voice loud and clear,
and hence nothing was left out during the interviews.
After conducting the interviews, the audio recordings were transcribed word
for word. Transcription was a labor-intensive process, as we had to listen
carefully to each recording and convert the words into text. We were careful to
maintain the participants' own words, tone, and emotional expressions so that
the data would be faithful to their experiences. This was necessary, as it
ensured that the data would accurately reflect the real nature of the
experiences of the young workers. After the transcription was completed, the
data was logically organized in a tabular format. The table was an organized
means of presenting participant responses, and it enabled us to easily see
patterns, salient themes, and significant differences. Each table row
represented a specific interview question, and the columns represented the
various responses from participants. This structuring of data not only made
the analysis easier but also facilitated the easy location of key information and
the determination of significant insights from the data.
Finally, this structured yet adaptable research methodology allowed us to fully
submerge ourselves in the lives of young workers so that we can provide a
sound basis for examining their struggles, resilience, and outlook in today's
workplace.
The overall aim of this qualitative research is to learn about the most
significant barriers faced by young workers in their workplaces and determine
how they cope with these problems in their daily life. The research utilizes
thematic analysis, a qualitative method that identifies patterns and
relationships in qualitative data, to code responses into applicable codes,
categories, and themes.
Data used in this research was collected through semi-structured interviews
conducted among young workers. The participants were asked to provide
their experiences through a list of open-ended questions that covered different
aspects of their work life, such as challenges they face, how they deal with
stress, how they balance work and studies, and how their work responsibilities
affect their personal growth.
Following data collection, the interviews were transcribed and carefully
examined. Thematic analysis was then employed to deconstruct the
responses systematically into smaller, manageable units of meaning called
codes. These codes were capable of capturing very specific ideas or
experiences reported by the participants, such as the phrases "struggling to
communicate with customers" and "stress-eating as a coping mechanism."
The second step was to categorize similar codes into more general
categories. For instance, codes about workplace problems, like
communication issues or scheduling problems, were all categorized under
"Workplace Challenges." Lastly, themes were constructed through looking for
patterns within the categories. Themes such as "Communication Barriers" and
"Resilience and Adaptability" were found, which are the general concepts that
encapsulate the participants' experiences.
The thematic analysis unearthed a rich description of the struggles of young
workers. Communication and time management problems at work are
common. The participants respond to such problems by employing social
support systems alongside individual coping mechanisms. Even though the
majority of them still grapple with work-life balance problems, the same
problem also instills resilience and agility in them that allows them to survive
despite adversity.
By analyzing these themes, the current research provides valuable insight into
the lives of young workers. It highlights the need for more nurturing
workplaces and better ways to support young workers in their dual roles and
responsibilities.
The participants in this study exhibit a range of demographic characteristics,
providing insight into their backgrounds, including age, gender, education,
income, ethnicity, and employment history.
The participants’ ages range from 19 to 24 years old. The youngest
participants, P1 and P2, are both 19 years old, while the oldest, P5, is 24. P3
and P4 fall in between, at 20 and 21 years old, respectively. In terms of
gender, the group is predominantly female, with four out of the five
participants identifying as such (P1, P3, P4, and P5), while P2 is the only
male participant.
Regarding education, all participants have attained a Senior High School
(SHS) level of education. This commonality suggests a similar educational
foundation, though their career paths and financial situations vary.
In terms of income, there is a notable disparity among participants. P1 reports
the highest monthly income at PHP 14,000, while P2 earns the least, with a
monthly income of PHP 3,000. P3, P4, and P5 earn PHP 8,000, PHP 6,000,
and PHP 10,000, respectively. These differences may reflect variations in job
roles, working hours, and industries.
All participants identify as Filipino, highlighting a shared cultural and ethnic
background. However, their employment start dates show some variation. P5
has the longest employment tenure, having started work on March 23, 2022.
P2 follows, having been employed since April 7, 2023. P3 and P4 began
working more recently, on December 5, 2023, and February 18, 2024,
respectively. P1 is the newest employee, starting work on June 26, 2024.
Overall, while the participants share similarities in age range, education, and
ethnicity, they differ significantly in gender representation, income levels, and
employment duration. These differences may influence their experiences and
perspectives, making their contributions to this study both diverse and
valuable.
Summary
We conducted a qualitative study, "Sustaining Resilience: A Qualitative Study
Exploring the Challenges and Coping Experiences of Young Workers," to get
a deeper and broader understanding of the challenges that young workers
experience and cope with. We employed a qualitative research design to
explore the experiences and emotions of the participants. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted to explore working environment, problems
encountered, coping mechanisms, and attitudes towards work. Participants
were able to share their thoughts freely thanks to the flexible format. The
interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and arranged in tables for
analysis. Data were subjected to thematic analysis to identify patterns.
Categories such as "Workplace Challenges" emerged based on responses,
with leading themes being "Communication Barriers," and "Resilience and
Adaptability." Communication and time management were among these
common struggles, supported by social support systems and individual coping
strategies. With regard to work-life balance, there certainly were some
difficulties; however, their perseverance and flexibility made them all the more
impressive. For the study, five adults between the ages of 19 and 24 chose
their own young worker. The five women were [four female and [one male.
All were SHS student . Workers earned between PHP 3,000 to PHP 14,000 a
month and had jobs from March 2022 to June 2024, representing diverse
working environments. Overall, the research shows young workers face
challenges of communication, time, and work-life balance, but exhibit
resilience. It highlights the importance of helping workplaces create the
environment and culture that address such challenges and be supportive
toward the personal and professional growth of all employees.