The Dual Edges of the Academic Sword: Academic Resilience and Stress in Young Adults

Abstract

This study explores the intricate relationship between academic stress and academic resilience among young adults. Academic stress, characterized by pressure, anxiety, and competition, poses significant risks to students’ mental health and academic outcomes. In contrast, academic resilience refers to students’ capacity to adapt and thrive despite such challenges. This study was conducted with 100 participants from Kolkata and its surrounding areas. A purposive sampling technique was used. The dimensions of Academic Resilience have been measured using the Academic Resilience Scale-30 (Simon Cassidy, 2016), while Academic Stress has been measured using the Academic Stress Scale (Bedewy & Gabriel, 2015). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between academic stress and resilience (r = -0.378, p < 0.01), indicating that higher resilience is associated with lower perceived stress. Additionally, significant differences in resilience scores were found across different stress levels, with those experiencing lower stress demonstrating notably higher resilience. These findings underscore the protective role of resilience against academic stress and highlight the need for interventions aimed at enhancing resilience to improve students’ well-being and academic performance.