Resilience and Mental Health: A Predictive Study among Students

Abstract

In today’s competitive academic environment, students face growing emotional and psychological pressures that threaten their mental well-being. This study explored resilience as a predictor of mental health among students, aiming to understand how adaptive coping capacities influence psychological well-being. A sample of 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students (aged 18–25 years) participated, selected through purposive and incidental sampling. Standardized tools—the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI)—were administered to assess resilience and mental health, respectively. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s correlation, simple linear regression, and t-tests. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between resilience and mental health (r = .622, p < .001). Regression analysis further indicated that resilience significantly predicted mental health (R² = .387, p < .001), explaining 39% of the variance. These findings affirm resilience as a strong psychological resource that enhances emotional stability and protects against distress. The study underscores the importance of resilience-building programs and mental health promotion strategies in educational institutions. Limitations, including self-report bias and cross-sectional design, are acknowledged, and directions for future research are suggested. Overall, the findings highlight resilience as a crucial determinant of students’ mental well-being and a key focus area for psychological interventions and educational policies.