Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

10 Dec 2025

Luzon provinces are hotspots for severe depression, anxiety, and stress among emerging adults

Despite the enactment of the Philippine Mental Health Act, mental illness remains a significant public health concern, particularly among young...

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05 Dec 2025

Researchers pioneer the use of topological data analysis for Filipino Sign Language alphabet recognition

This research aims to improve recognition of Filipino Sign Language (FSL) letters, which is crucial for better communication in the...

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04 Dec 2025

The risk of measles is higher on warmer days

This study looks at how measles spreads in certain areas of the Philippines, specifically Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, using...

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03 Dec 2025

Ang moral na ligalig ng Agosto-Setyembre taong 1995 ay nakasandal sa ilang istereotipo sa mga rakistang banda

Ang saliksik na ito ay pumapaksa sa kasaysayan ng moral na ligalig (moral panic) noong Agosto-Setyembre taong 1995 kung saan...

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02 Dec 2025

New method can authenticate Philippine stingless bee honey, considered the “next superfood”

Stingless bee honey is gaining recognition as a superfood because of its exceptional health and therapeutic benefits, which rival—or even...

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01 Dec 2025

Family interactions and experiences at school and home strongly shape the psychological traits of pre-service teachers

Mental health research has been a key priority among higher education institutions globally to support the advocacy for the holistic...

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28 Nov 2025

The efficiency with which Robusta coffee farms convert inputs into outputs declines at higher elevations

This article explains the factors that affect the productivity and efficiency of the Robusta coffee farms in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines....

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27 Nov 2025

Emotions are vital resources for queer rights activists when they lobby for social reforms

The article analyzes queer rights activists in the Philippines as they demand social reforms. It highlights emotions as these activists...

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26 Nov 2025

The service convenience of live broadcast shopping increases impulse buying by boosting perceived value and e-trust

With the growth of social media and social media marketing, it is natural that the hospitality and tourism industry should...

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25 Nov 2025

Time can only be accessed around a particular set of times

To measure time is to measure a clock. Historically, to ask “how long before harvest?” or “when will the festival...

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24 Nov 2025

The sedimentary rocks in the Central Cordillera, formed about 33–17 million years ago, came from volcanic rocks produced by an underwater volcanic region

Approximately 90% sedimentary rocks cover the Earth’s surface. These rocks are formed from the erosion and weathering of pre-existing rocks....

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21 Nov 2025

A guitar-based program resulted in improvements in hand function among stroke patients comparable to those from conventional therapy

This study aims to determine the effects of guitar lessons (intervention group) in comparison to conventional occupational therapy sessions (control...

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Research

Despite the enactment of the Philippine Mental Health Act, mental illness remains a significant public health concern, particularly among young adults. This study aimed to identify spatial clusters of mental health distress to inform targeted interventions and policy planning.

Our research explores the geographic distribution of severe depression, anxiety, and stress among Filipino emerging adults using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Emerging adults (18 to 29 years old) are in an important stage of development, and mental health disorders are common in this age group. Using convenience sampling method, we collected data from 2,729 Filipino emerging adults through an online self-administered survey. The Depression Anxiety Scales-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess mental health levels, and GIS-based spatial analysis identified significant hotspots in Luzon, particularly in Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and the National Capital Region. Early emerging adults and females exhibited higher prevalence rates of severe and extreme distress.

Our findings highlight the need for localized mental health interventions, particularly in identified hotspot areas, where community-based screening and support programs can be prioritized. The study advances the application of spatial epidemiology in mental health research and supports the call for improved accessibility to mental health services in the Philippines. By integrating spatial analysis with mental health data, we provide an evidence-based framework to enhance public health strategies and address mental health disparities among emerging adults. Future studies should examine socioeconomic and environmental factors influencing these patterns to develop more comprehensive, targeted solutions.

Authors: Zypher Jude G. Regencia (Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila | Department of Sociology and Behavioral Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, De La Salle University), Vergel T. Marteja Jr. (Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila) and Emmanuel S. Baja (Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila | Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila)

Read the full paper: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/47/2/149/8046705