A Mixed Methods Study of Parents in Nurturing Students' Holistic Growth for Christ-Centered Internal Family Systems Program

Parent Formation

The primary goal of this study was to explore the inner self of parents and understand how they nurture their children’s holistic growth through the Christ-Centered Internal Family Systems (CC-IFS) approach. The study employed a concurrent mixed methods research design. The quantitative phase utilized the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Scale Survey administered to 199 parent-respondents of Assumpta School of Tagum City during the School Year 2025–2026. The qualitative phase involved in-depth interviews with 10 purposively selected parent-participants to explore their experiences, challenges, coping mechanisms, and realizations in nurturing their children’s holistic growth. Quantitative findings revealed that parents often demonstrated positive self- qualities and self-leadership, while awareness of parts and internal struggles were seldom experienced, indicating a generally healthy level of self-awareness and emotional regulation. Qualitative findings generated themes that reflected parents’ experiences, challenges, coping strategies, and realizations in supporting their children’s physical, emotional, social, moral, intellectual, and spiritual development. The integration of quantitative and qualitative findings showed that parents play a vital role in their children’s holistic growth and that their own self-awareness, emotional well-being, and faith influence their parenting practices. Hence, the study concluded that strengthening parents’ understanding of their inner self can enhance their capacity to nurture their children more effectively. Based on the findings, a Christ-Centered Internal Family Systems (CC- IFS) Parent Formation Program was developed to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, compassionate parenting, and faith-centered family relationships.

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