Role of resilience and related coping in the adjustment of first year psychology students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus.

Abstract

The transition to university is often a challenging process that requires students to adapt to new social and academic stresses whilst balancing the changing roles within their families, friends, academic work, leisure and often a part-time job. The ability to deal with stress in a transition regardless of challenges and still exhibit positive outcomes is crucial in order to achieve academic success along with positive mental health. The aim of the current study was to explore the role of resilience and related coping styles of first year university students’ ability to adjust to university life. A total of 142 first year students attending the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg participated in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires: The demographic information form, Resilience scale for adults (RSA), Adolescent coping scale (ACS) and Student adaption to college questionnaire (SACQ). To test the data, hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted composed of two models: model one: positive adjustment, model two: social adjustment. The first model outlined resilience as significant predictor for students’ adjustment at university. The second model outlined gender, diversion coping styles and resilience as significant predictors for social adjustment. It is recommended that more religious activities should be encouraged as students rely on religious beliefs to combat daily stressors.