Prediction of Academic Resilience Based on Coping Styles and Personality Traits

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study was prediction of academic resilience based on coping styles and personality traits. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional research. Study population comprised all students of Kashan University graduating February to March 2017. A total of 368 (253 females and 115 males) students studying in academic year 2016-2017 were selected by cluster sampling method. The data were collected using academic resilience scale, coping inventory for stressful situation and neo personality traits inventory. To analyze the obtained data, regression analysis was performed in SPSS V. 22. Results: Academic resilience had a significant positive correlation with problem-focused coping style (r=0.21, P<0.01) and significant negative correlations with emotion-focused coping style (r=-0.41, P<0.01) and avoidance coping style (r=-0.16, P<0.05). In addition, there were positive correlations between academic resilience and extroversion (r=0.45, P<0.01), openness (r=0.10, not specified), agreeableness (r=0.28, P<0.01), conscientiousness (r=0.53, P<0.01), but significant negative correlation with neuroticism (r=-0.18, P<0.05). Moreover, the results of regression analysis indicated that emotion-focused style and problem-focused coping style predicted 21% of academic resilience variance, and conscientiousness and extraversion personality traits predicted 32% of academic resilience variance. Conclusion: Results of this study support Endler and Parker’s model of resilience and confirm that students’ coping styles have considerable impact on their academic resilience. Furthermore, the findings indicated that academic resilient individuals mostly have conscientious and extravert personality traits. Highlights ● There is a relationship between academic resilience, coping styles, and personality traits of university students. ● Students with academic resilient use problem-focused coping style. ● They also have extroversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness traits. ● But their scores are low in neuroticism. Plain Language Summary In entering university, students usually experience stressful experiences. Hence, adaptation with new situations is important. People use different styles to cope with stressful situations. Some people show emotional reactions (e.g. self-blaming, angry, and anxiety). Others look at life events as problems and try to find solutions. Also, people with different personality traits show different reactions. On the other hand, resilience is important as one of the most important traits to cope with challenging situations. Resilience in educational settings is called academic resilience. Academic achievement is more seen in resilient students who encounter negative psychological and environmental situations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between academic resilience, coping styles and personality traits on the university students. The results showed a positive relationship between academic resilience and problem-focused coping style and a negative relationship between academic resilience and emotion-focused coping and avoidance coping styles. Also, there were positive relationships between academic resilience and extroversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, but negative relationship with neuroticism. Our results are useful for psychologists, school counselors, and parents to understand students’ behaviors and help them achieve their academic goals.