Exploration of resilience in post-secondary student leaders  — ASN Events
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  3. Exploration of resilience in post-secondary student leaders 

Exploration of resilience in post-secondary student leaders  (#80)

Jodi Basch 1
  1. Queen’s University, Thornhill, ON, Canada

Background

Before entering university, students are not always equipped with tools to cope with stressful life events. During the transition to university, students may experience challenges that accompany entering a new stage of life (1). However, throughout their years at university, students can foster, establish and develop their strengths, allowing them to draw on and develop their resilience (2). As resilience is a key component of this transition, more research is required to determine factors that contribute to the development of resilient students.

Aims

The purpose of this research was to examine how undergraduate student leaders cultivated resilience during the transition from high school to university and how they engendered values reflective of an authentic leader.

Method

This mixed-method study consisted of three phases. In phase one, students completed a questionnaire, comprised of demographic questions, resilience and leadership scales, and open-ended questions. Phase one was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, and inductively coded using constant comparative method (CCM). Individuals that scored in the 75th percentile or higher on the resilience scale were invited to participate in focus groups. Ten focus group participants were invited to participate in interviews. Focus groups and interviews were analyzed inductively using CCM. Results from quantitative and qualitative components were merged to obtain an overall picture of the participants.

Results

This presentation outlines resilience findings. A correlation analysis was done between the resilience and leadership questionnaire, resulting in statistical significance at the 0.01 level. Detailed analysis of the questionnaire, focus groups, and interviews outlined four themes for highly resilient student leaders: social support, key developmental experiences, internal assets and strengths, and time. Data showed that highly resilient students were able to draw on their resilience more effectively, specifically when they were engaged in value-based leadership positions.

Conclusion

This study provides opportunities for individuals, professionals, and institutions to develop educational wellness curricula, practices that support resilience and positive well-being, and transitional support for university student leaders.

  1. Praharso, N. F., Tear, M. J., & Cruwys, T. (2017). Stressful life transitions and wellbeing: A comparison of the stress buffering hypothesis and the social identity model of identity change. Psychiatry Research, 247, 265-275. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.11.039
  2. Rew, L., & Horner, S. D. (2003). Youth resilience framework for reducing health-risk behaviors in adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 18(6), 379-388.
  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Leadership/Management, Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth, Strengths
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