Resilient First-Generation College Students: A Multiple Regression Analysis Examining the Impact of Optimism, Academic Self-Efficacy, Social Support, Religiousness, and Spirituality on Perceived Resilience

Abstract

First-generation college students (FGCS) have been identified as an at-risk population as evidenced by higher attrition rates, lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and are less engaged in the college environment when compared to their college peers. Yet despite these stressors, many will graduate college demonstrating their resilience. This study examined optimism, academic self-efficacy, social support, religiousness, and spirituality as potential protective factors for FGCS who perceive themselves to be resilient. Two-way effects were examined in order to determine if any two-way combination of the five protective factors explored in this study explained more of the variance in perceived resilience of FGCS. Demographic variables were also taken into consideration. The study surveyed 249 FGCS from a small rural state university. The regression model revealed a significant positive relationship between the protective factors of academic self-efficacy, social support, and optimism on perceived resilience. FGCS who indicated having more social support, believed themselves to be optimistic and academically self-efficacious, also perceived themselves to be highly resilient. Furthermore, male FGCS reported higher perceived resiliency scores when compared to female FGCS. The implications, limitations, and the future direction of the research were discussed. RESILIENT FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The dissertation is a massive undertaking and would not be possible without the many people in my life providing support and encouragement in every step of the dissertation process. I would like to thank Dr. Jeff Daniels, Dr. Monica Leppma, and Dr. Roy Tunick for their constructive feedback. Their input helped raise thought-provoking questions and useful suggestions allowed me to improve my dissertation. A thank you to Dr. Katherine Byers, who was willing to take the time from her busy schedule and sit on my dissertation committee at the last stages of the dissertation process. Your time and thoughtful feedback is greatly appreciated. I want to thank Dr. Reagan Curtis whose invaluable knowledge on statistics and his ability to convey his expertise in a way for me to understand has been appreciated. I want to give a special thanks to Dr. James Bartee who always seems to find a nice balance of productive feedback and positive encouragement throughout this process. The importance of his guidance cannot be overstated. I want to thank Vicki Railing for always informing me of the necessary forms and deadlines throughout my doctoral career. Thank you for keeping me on track. I want to thank Longwood University, particularly Dr. Eric Laws from the Longwood University's IRB, and my colleagues at The Counseling Center, particularly, Dr. Wayne O'Brien and Dr. Maureen Walls-McKay. I also like to thank Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Tim Pierson, who did an extraordinary job of helping me recruit first-generation college students. A special thanks to my fellow graduate students who have helped me in various stag...