Modeling Students' Happiness and Coping Behavior in Learning Mathematics amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Being a happy student during unprecedented times depends on coping behavior that lessens their anxiety level while learning. This article stresses to explain the level of happiness and coping behavior amid the COVID-19 pandemic while learning mathematics online. The study also determines the different factors of happiness and coping behavior using a statistical model. Primary data were gathered through a Google form survey of 233 students at Visayas State University during the second semester of the academic year 2021-2022. Results showed that students are moderately happy and coping with learning mathematics amid the challenges they have experienced in distance learning. The findings revealed that the students' happiness level is dependent on their coping strategies in learning. Hence, students coping behavior in the learning process will positively influence their well-being and cognitive thinking. The regression model (I) reveals that the factor of being a happy student in learning mathematics is to have an older age or more experience. In addition, students are happy if their teachers are helping them with their learning activities online. Meanwhile, the regression model (II) depicted that the students' coping behavior is influenced by study habits, money spent on their internet load, teacher support, and teachers' strategies on how the learning environment is comfortable. Hence, teachers must develop a positive attitude towards their students and give them activities that are suitable and appropriate for online learning. Furthermore, it is recommended that the mathematics curriculum must be enhanced concerning distance education and students' well-being.