Resilience process in Bidikmisi students: understanding risk, protective and promotive factor, and resilient outcome

Abstract

University students have to face academic and non-academic challenges. These challenges are especially crucial for Bidikmisi students that possibly face financial, social, and psychological risks, affecting their ability to flourish in the university. Therefore, they need to overcome different adversities than other students. This study aimed to examine the pathways to resilient educational outcomes by investigating protective factors buffering the Bidikmisi students’ risks. A collective case study approach was used which consisted of two phases. Online survey data were collected from 178 students that started university for Phase 1 in 2018. After that, we used in-depth interviews with 16 students who met the inclusion criteria for Phase 2 in 2020. Furthermore, the thematic analysis with Ungar’s socio-ecological resilience framework was used with a deductive and inductive approach. The results showed seven themes in the risk exposure component, such as culture shock. There were fourteen themes in the Protective and Promotive Factors Process (PPFP), including positive mindset and spirituality. The desired outcomes had four themes, including academic achievement. The socio-ecological resilience framework effectively characterizes the resilience process of students during education. Moreover, the findings assist in further research to design a resilience intervention program for students at risk.