PSU Social Work Department - Research & Extension

22/09/2026

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 – 𝐆𝐌𝐏𝐈 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 (𝐒𝐃𝐆𝐬) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Mr. 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐀𝐦 𝐖. 𝐂. 𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨, faculty member of the Social Work Department, was recognized as Best Presenter at the GMPI International Conference on STEM Education for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2026, where he presented the paper “𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬.” The study highlights how culturally responsive school management, learner support, and meaningful engagement with parents and Indigenous communities help create conditions for responsive and sustainable learning environments. Truly, achieving meaningful learning outcomes goes beyond classroom teaching alone.

The study also represents a multinational research collaboration involving researchers from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia: Pangasinan State University–Lingayen Campus, Philippines (Jun S. Camara, Marie Claire B. Briones, Great I Am W. C. Gismundo), Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia (Daya Negri Wijaya), INTI International University, Malaysia (Lim Seong Pek), and San Nicolas District II, Department of Education, Pangasinan, Philippines (Imelda S. Lazaro).

16/09/2026

𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

The Social Work Department proudly announces the publication of a research paper by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐂. 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐚, faculty member of the Social Work Department, together with 𝐌𝐫. 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀. 𝐃𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧, former faculty member of the Social Work Department of Pangasinan State University.

The study examines human resource capacity in devolved public social welfare offices and the gap between the self-assessments of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers and the experiences of their clients. Findings highlight disparities in perceived service implementation and point to human resource needs in training, resources, and professional development.

Researchers, students, practitioners, and other interested readers are invited to access the manuscript through the link provided below. You are also welcome to cite this study in your future research.
https://ojs.piscomed.com/index.php/HRMS/article/view/6223/4135

27/07/2026

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐀 𝐏𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲

The Social Work Department proudly announces that the latest research paper of 𝐌𝐫. 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐀𝐦 𝐖. 𝐂. 𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨 is now available online as a preprint and is accessible through Google Scholar. The study explores how confronting a life-threatening illness can profoundly reshape personal values, priorities, relationships, and one's appreciation of life.

Researchers, students, practitioners, and other interested readers are invited to access the manuscript through the link provided below. You are also welcome to cite this study in your future research.

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the value orientations that emerged from the recurring thoughts, concerns, and anticipated situations of individuals who experienced medical isolation following a life-threatening illness. Guided by the premise that significant life experiences provid...

26/07/2026

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲: 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲

The extension activity was led by the Project Leader, Mr. Joseph C. Barrera, and marks the third extension program implemented under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the PSU Social Work Department and the Barangay Government of Barangay Maniboc, Lingayen, Pangasinan. This continuing partnership reflects the department's commitment to promoting family well-being, positive parenting, and youth development through sustainable, community-based social work initiatives.

The workshop featured four learning sessions facilitated by faculty members of the Social Work Department. Mr. Great I Am W. C. Gismundo facilitated Positive Discipline for Parents and the Parallel Teen Track on Dialogue and Risk Behavior, highlighting child development, the influence of the social environment on behavior, children's rights and responsibilities, and the application of the GRAND Framework in strengthening family relationships and promoting responsible decision-making among adolescents. Dr. Donabel C. Sabas discussed Family Communication and Conflict Resolution, emphasizing effective communication, empathy, active listening, and constructive conflict management within the family. Ms. Kristine Dawn Dudang delivered a session on Joint Budgeting and Livelihood Planning, encouraging financial literacy, collaborative decision-making, and responsible household resource management. Meanwhile, Ms. Catherine Anne P. Atutubo discussed Stress Management and Family Emergency Planning, equipping participants with practical strategies for managing stress, building family resilience, and preparing household emergency plans. Through lectures and interactive workshops, participants gained practical knowledge and skills to strengthen family relationships, promote responsible parenting, improve financial management, and enhance family resilience.

The PSU Social Work Department extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Abelardo G. Abalos, Campus Extension Coordinator, for his visit and monitoring, which provided guidance and helped ensure the smooth implementation of this extension activity; Mr. Aron Villa, the assigned social worker of the partner community; and Lt. Col. Ramil Sison Palisoc (PA), Ret., Barangay Chairman of Barangay Maniboc, Lingayen, Pangasinan, for their invaluable support, warm hospitality, and unwavering commitment to the successful implementation of the activity.

The Department likewise expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all the participants and residents of Barangay Maniboc for their active participation and continued partnership in advancing community development through social work.

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 (𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐂) – 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎) 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈

The student-researchers from the BSSW Program of Pangasinan State University—Sherly Ann U. Meneses, Gillian E. Gumpeng, and Camille C. Palma—together with their thesis adviser, Mr. Great I Am W. C. Gismundo, formally presented the findings of their undergraduate thesis, 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬, to the National Authority for Child Care – Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) Region I. The presentation highlighted the study's key findings, discussed their implications for social work practice, and explored potential directions for future research on adoption and alternative child care. The activity was attended by Regional Alternative Child Care Officer-in-Charge Ms. Hiyasmin Joy O. Nieva-Rabelas, Head of the Post Placement Unit Ms. Maureen C. Agbon, and Information Officer Ms. Eula Mae Carla D. Olod.

Conducted across Region I, the study addressed gaps in understanding how birth and adoptive parents perceive openness in adoption. The findings identified the adoption characteristics most preferred by respondents, providing insights that may inform future research, policy development, and social work practice.

The successful completion of the region-wide study was made possible through the invaluable support of the National Authority for Child Care – Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) Region I, particularly in facilitating access to respondents from various provinces across Region I. In recognition of the office's assistance and as part of the researchers' commitment to knowledge sharing, a hardbound copy of the undergraduate thesis was formally turned over to the office.

09/07/2026

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫: 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

The Social Work Department proudly announces that the research paper of 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐂. 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐚 entitled 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫: 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 is now available online as a preprint and is accessible through Google Scholar.

Researchers, students, practitioners, and other interested readers are invited to access the manuscript through the link provided below. You are also welcome to cite this study in your future research.
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/55ac816ddb7eb33e6193911ee1ef073c/download_pub

09/07/2026

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐒𝐖𝐃 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐬, 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧
BSSW researchers Ms. Krichelle Ocampo and Ms. Leah Dela Cruz, together with their thesis adviser, Prof. Jayson P. Molina, met with Disability Officer III Ms. Nerrisa Gallardo, representing the Local Social Welfare and Development Officer, Ms. Delia Dalutag, on June 30, 2026, to present and discuss the findings of their research. The study was conducted among senior citizen participants in San Nicolas, Pangasinan.

The qualitative study, "𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲: 𝐀𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞," examines the experiences of older adults following the loss of a companion animal and its implications for their social functioning. The findings emphasize the importance of recognizing pet loss as a significant life event that may influence the psychosocial well-being of older persons.

By examining an underexplored area within the Philippine context, the study contributes to the growing body of knowledge in Veterinary Social Work and provides insights that may inform future research, policy development, and social work practice.

08/05/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐏-𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝟐
Mr. Jayson P. Molina, the CASL Research Coordinator, presented Phase 1 of Project: GRAND during the P-MENTORAIDE Phase 2 program, highlighting the success stories of students in the licensure examination through the pilot testing of the Social Work Department’s research-based approach.

The activity was attended by Dr. Dickson Adom, a researcher from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, who serves as the senior mentor of P-MENTORAIDE Phase 2 through the partnership between the university and Pangasinan State University, as part of the initiative to strengthen research practices. Several BS Social Work students from the Social Work Department of Pangasinan State University also participated in the activity in preparation for their upcoming thesis defense.

02/03/2026

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐏𝐒𝐔–𝐀𝐏𝐒𝐂𝐈 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥
The Social Work program of Pangasinan State University participated in an activity under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Pangasinan State University and Asian Pacific Christian School, Inc. (APSCI). Faculty members from different colleges and units—John Bernardo from the College of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences; Crislyn Villanueva and Great I Am W. Gismundo from the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters; and Dr. Jun S. Camara from the Campus Research and Development Unit—served as Research Consultants and Research Panelists during the Grade 12 Research Public Defense held on February 20, 2026, at Asian Pacific Christian School, Inc., Capas, Tarlac.

The team of research experts from Pangasinan State University provided valuable insights and mentored students from various strands in enhancing their research write-ups, ensuring proper alignment among their objectives, methodology, and analysis. The APSCI students actively and enthusiastically presented their outputs, demonstrating openness and a strong willingness to respond to questions for the further improvement of their studies.