Predictors of Resilience in First-Year University Students

Recent research focussed on student adaptation to university has shown that resilience is an important attribute for students. As such, this study aimed to identify the concurrent demographic, intrapersonal and interpersonal factors predicting resilience in first year university students. A further aim was to investigate whether there were differences in the experience of full-time versus part-time students in resilience. Participants were 420 students enrolled in a variety of courses at the University of Tasmania, who completed questionnaires measuring resilience and predictors thereof. The hypothesis that higher levels of personal growth initiative, optimism and social adjustment would predict higher levels of resilience was supported. Psychological distress negatively predicted resilience. Contrary to expectations, attachment to university and social support were not found to positively predict resilience. Part-time students reported higher levels of resilience, personal growth initiative and optimism, as well as lower levels of psychological distress compared to full-time students. No differences were found between part-time and full-time students in social adjustment. It was concluded that resilience in first year university students encompasses intrapersonal, interpersonal and demographic factors.