From risk to resilience: examining resilience and personal growth initiative in first-generation college students

Abstract

First-generation college students (FGCS) have more difficulty integrating into college and are less likely to complete their degrees successfully (Chen Carroll, 2005; Choy, 2001; Gardner Holley, 2011; Ward, Siegel, Davenport, 2012). Despite the challenges, some FGCS succeed. To explore different factors that may contribute to their success, this study examined two strengths-based constructs, resilience and personal growth initiative, in FGCS attending a private university. The research uses a cross-sectional study involving an online survey to collect data and detect differences that may exist between FGCS and non-first-generation college students (NonFGCS) across different academic classifications. The survey incorporates 75 items from the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Child and Youth Resilience Measure-28 (CYRM-28), Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II (PGIS-II), and a demographics questionnaire. Participants include a sample population of 205 students (95 FGCS and 110 NonFGCS). Descriptive analyses and two-way ANOVAs are performed to examine scores from the CD-RISC, CYRM-28, and PGIS-II. Findings revealed that a greater number of FGCS are in minority groups than NonFGCS. In addition, trends for the estimated annual income between FGCS and NonFGCS travel in opposite directions since the number of FGCS decrease as the number of NonFGCS increase. Statistical analysis reveals a significant difference between FGCS and NonFGCS for the CYRM-28 but not for the CD-RISC or PGIS-II. The researcher discusses the findings of this study and their implications.