Exploring the lives of senior high school students from broken families: Stories of struggle, uncertainty and hope amidst challenges and adversities

This qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of senior high school students from broken families, focusing on how they navigate emotional, academic, and social challenges. Conducted at General Santos City National High School, the research involved in-depth interviews with ten purposively selected students for the school year 2024–2025. Thematic analysis revealed five major thematic areas: the emotional impact of being in a broken family, academic struggles due to unmet needs and weak parental support, various coping strategies, the role of support systems (family, peers, school, and community), and the overall impact on academic and personal well-being. Despite recurring challenges such as financial stress, loneliness, and insecurity, many participants exhibited resilience, self-discipline, and a positive outlook that helped them persist in their academic and personal pursuits. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive support mechanisms from educational institutions and communities to promote the psychological resilience and academic success of students from disrupted family structures. The study also suggests policy-level interventions to better accommodate the unique needs of this vulnerable student population.