Parental Separation as Predictor of Academic Performance and Emotional Well-Being among Grade 4 Learners in Glan II District, Division of Sarangani: Basis For a Proposed P.A.C.E Program

This study aimed to determine the significant relationship between parental separation, well-being, and academic performance among Grade 4 learners in Glan 2 District, Municipality of Glan, Division of Sarangani during the School Year 2024–2025. A quantitative non-experimental descriptive-correlational design with regression analysis was employed, utilizing survey data from Grade 4 learners in Glan 2 District. The findings revealed that parental separation significantly affected learners emotionally, with many reporting feelings of sadness, insecurity, and anxiety. Emotional well-being, particularly emotional awareness, played a crucial role in academic performance. Most learners were categorized as performing at a satisfactory academic level; however, a notable proportion, particularly those from separated families, experienced academic difficulties. A significant correlation was found between parental separation and both emotional well-being and academic performance, indicating that emotional distress resulting from family separation had a substantial impact on learners’ emotional and academic outcomes. Furthermore, coping strategies emerged as the strongest predictor of academic performance (β = .385), highlighting the critical role of learners’ adaptive mechanisms and emotional well-being in educational success. Based on these findings, an intervention program titled P.A.C.E. (Parental Separation Awareness for Children’s Excellence) was proposed. The P.A.C.E. Program is a comprehensive intervention designed to support learners affected by parental separation through emotional support, coping strategies, and academic assistance delivered via workshops, counseling, and peer support groups. The program adopts a holistic approach by fostering collaboration among teachers, parents, and school counselors to address both the emotional and educational needs of learners.