Investigating the Relationship Between Disability Status and Grit

Abstract

An established definition of the concept grit is a combination of resilience and stamina for long-term challenges. Although literature on grit has been vast in terms of linking this concept to success for nondisabled individuals, limited research exists for individuals with disabilities. The present study investigated the relationship between grit and disability status within the college population. We surveyed individuals with and without a registered disability at a university, using the Grit Scale to measure responses and later subdividing it into Consistency of Interest and Perseverance of Effort scales. We found a significant main effect, defining significant differences with p values < .05, between disability status with total Grit score. Another significant interaction was found when evaluating the relationship of disability and underrepresentation (e.g., Black Indigenous People of Color) on Grit and Consistency of Interest subscores. No significant differences were found within the Perseverance subcategory of Grit. These results indicate that individuals within the underrepresented category, or people of color, as well as students registered with a disability scored significantly lower than their White and nondisabled counterparts. Further investigation is needed for confirmation of results. Suggested future investigations include the relationships of grit with varying disability categories as well as with individuals making up the underrepresented ethnic group.