This study examined the role of mental health in the academic and industry preparedness of tourism students in Dumaguete City. It focused on the influence of stress, anxiety, and depression on students’ readiness to perform in both academic and professional settings. Guided by the Cognitive Appraisal Theory, the study employed a descriptive-correlational research design involving 39 fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management students from selected higher education institutions. Data were gathered using a validated survey questionnaire and were analyzed using statistical tools such as weighted means and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The findings revealed that students demonstrated high levels of academic and industry preparedness, particularly in managing academic tasks, applying knowledge, and demonstrating confidence in communication and interpersonal skills. Stress and anxiety were found to have a significant relationship with academic preparedness. However, no significant relationship was found between mental health and industry preparedness, indicating that students’ readiness for professional work was more strongly influenced by their skills, training, and educational experiences. In general, the findings highlighted that while mental health influenced academic experiences, it did not compromise students’ industry readiness.
Publication Date: 2026-06-13