Resilience, academic stress, and happiness among higher education students
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Resilience is recognized as a key factor influencing happiness; however, studies exploring the relationship between resilience, happiness, and academic stress remain scarce. This study examines the impact of resilience on happiness and its effect on academic stress among higher education students in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Methodology: Data were collected through standardized measurement instruments administered to the study participants. A total of 253 students (53 males, 20.9%; 200 females, 79.1%) from private higher education institutions in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, were selected using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with IBM-SPSS-AMOS.
Findings: The results indicate that resilience does not have a significant effect on either happiness or academic stress. This study suggests that a higher level of resilience does not necessarily lead to reduced academic stress or increased happiness among university students.
Contributions: The study’s results have implications for students and university administrators in understanding the broader determinants of happiness within higher education environments. Future research should consider examining the moderating effects of social support, coping mechanisms, and institutional policies on student well-being.
Keywords: Happiness, resilience, academic stress, higher education students.
References
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Ali, A., Majeed, M. B., Saba, K., Bodenarain, A., & Bukhari, M. H. (2013). Effects of different sleeping patterns on academic performance in medical school students. Natural Science, 05(11), 1193–1198.
Alonso-Tapia, J., Garrido-Hernansaiz, H., Rodríguez-Rey, R., Ruiz, M., & Nieto, C. (2017). Personal factors underlying resilience: Development and validation of the resiliency questionnaire for adults. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 19(2), 104–117.
Alvin, N. (2007). Handling study stress: Panduan agar anda dapat belajar bersama anak-anak anda. Elex Media Computindo.
Aryani, F. (2016). Stres belajar: Suatu pendekatan dan intervensi konseling. Edukasi Mitra Grafika.
Awang, Z. (2012). Overview of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). In Z. Awang (Ed.), A Handbook on SEM (pp. 1–17). Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.
Awang, Z. (2014). Research methodology and data analysis. Contributions to Management Science (2nd ed.). Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.
Awang, Z. (2015). SEM made simple: A gentle approach to learning structural equation modelling. MPWS Rich Publisher.
Bahkia, A. S., Awang, Z., Afthanorhan, A., Ghazali, P. L., & Foziah, H. (2019). Exploratory factor analysis on occupational stress in context of Malaysian sewerage operations. In The 4th Innovation and Analytics Conference & Exhibition (IACE 2019) 25–28 March 2019, Kedah, Malaysia (Vol. 2138). AIP Publishing.
Baistaman, J., Awang, Z., Afthanorhan, A., & Rahim, M. Z. A. (2020). Developing and validating the measurement model for financial literacy construct using confirmatory factor analysis. Humanities and Social Sciences Reviews, 8(2), 413–422.
Bajaj, B., Khoury, B., & Sengupta, S. (2022). Resilience and stress as mediators in the relationship of mindfulness and happiness. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(February), 1-10.
Bedewy, D., & Gabriel, A. (2015). Examining perceptions of academic stress and its sources among university students: The perception of academic stress scale. Health Psychology Open, 2(2), 2055102915596714.
Bücker, S., Nuraydin, S., Simonsmeier, B. A., & Schneider, M. (2018). Subjective well-being and academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Journal of Research in Personality, 74(1), 83–94.
Burns, R. A., Anstey, K. J., & Windsor, T. D. (2011). Subjective well-being mediates the effects of resilience and mastery on depression and anxiety in a large community sample of young and middle-aged adults. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(3), 240–248.
Cohn, M. A., Fredrickson, B. L., Brown, S. L., Mikels, J. A., & Conway, A. M. (2009). Happiness unpacked: Positive emotions increase life satisfaction by building resilience. Emotion, 9(3), 361–368.
Diehl, M., Hay, E. L., & Chui, H. (2012). Personal risk and resilience daily stress. Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 32(1), 251–274.
Ehido, A., Awang, Z., Halim, B. A., & Ibeabuchi, C. (2020). Developing items for measuring quality of work life among malaysian academics: An exploratory factor analysis procedure. Humanities and Social Sciences Reviews, 8(3), 1295–1309.
Esia-Donkoh, K., Yelkpieri, D., & Esia-Donkoh, K. (2011). Coping with Stress: Strategies adopted by students at the Winneba Campus of University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. Online Submission, 2(1), 290–299.
Everly, G. S. (2008). The resilient child: Seven essential lessons for your child’s happiness and success. DiaMedica Publications.
Fawzy, M., & Hamed, S. A. (2017). Prevalence of psychological stress, depression and anxiety among medical students in Egypt. Psychiatry Research, 255(1), 186–194.
Fergus, S., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2005). Adolescent resilience: A framework for understanding healthy development in the face of risk. Annual Review of Public Health, 26(1), 399–419.
Fitriana, N., Hutagalung, F. D., Awang, Z., & Zaid, S. M. (2022). Happiness at work: A cross-cultural validation of happiness at work scale. PLoS ONE, 17(January), 1–16.
Gadzella, B. M., & Masten, W. G. (2005). An analysis of the categories in the student-life stress inventory. American Journal of Psychological Research, 3(1), 1-15.
Gusniarti, U. (2002). Hubungan antara persepsi siswa terhadap tuntutan dan harapan sekolah dengan derajat stres siswa sekolah plus. Psikologika: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Penelitian Psikologi, 7(13), 53-68.
Hartley, M. T. (2012). Assessing and promoting resilience: An additional tool to address the increasing number of college students with psychological problems. Journal of College Counseling, 15(1), 37–51.
Hjemdal, O. (2007). Measuring protective factors: The development of two resilience scales in Norway. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 16(2), 303–321.
Hwang, W. J., Lee, T. Y., Lim, K. O., Bae, D., Kwak, S., Park, H. Y., & Kwon, J. S. (2018). The effects of four days of intensive mindfulness meditation training (Templestay program) on resilience to stress: A randomized controlled trial. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 23(5), 497–504.
Indonesian Central Statistics Agency. (2022). Indeks kebahagiaan menurut klasifikasi wilayah 2014-2021. Badan Pusat Statistik Provinsi Sulawesi Utara.
Jones, R. (2020). Explaining relationships between stress and resilience in pharmacy students. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Khadijah, K., Maharani, M., & Khasanah, M. F. (2021). Resiliensi akademik mahasiswa terhadap pembelajaran daring. Educational Guidance and Counseling Development Journal, 4(2), 66–72.
Khawaja, N. G., & Stallman, H. M. (2011). Understanding the coping strategies of international students: A qualitative approach. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 21(2), 203–224.
Larcombe, W., Finch, S., Sore, R., Murray, C. M., Kentish, S., Mulder, R. A., Lee-Stecum, P., Baik, C., Tokatlidis, O., & Williams, D. A. (2016). Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of psychological distress among students at an Australian university. Studies in Higher Education, 41(6), 1074-1091.
Lower, K. E. (2014). Understanding resilience and happiness among college students. (Unpublished master thesis). Middle Tennessee State University.
Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, S. H. (1999). Subjective happiness scale. Social Indicators Research, 46(1), 137–155.
MacGeorge, E. L., Samter, W., & Gillihan, S. J. (2005). Academic stress, supportive communication, and health. Communication Education, 54(4), 365–372.
Masten, A. S. (2014). Ordinary magic: Resilience in development. Guilford Publications.
Misra, R., & Castillo, L. G. (2004). Academic stress among college students: Comparison of American and international students. International Journal of Stress Management, 11(2), 132–148.
Portzky, M., Wagnild, G., De Bacquer, D., & Audenaert, K. (2010). Psychometric evaluation of the Dutch resilience scale RS-nl on 3265 healthy participants: A confirmation of the association between age and resilience found with Swedish version. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Science, 24(1), 86–92.
Ramadanti, R., & Herdi, H. (2022). Hubungan antara resiliensi dan dukungan sosial dengan stress akademik mahasiswa baru di Jakarta pada masa pandemi Covid-19. INSIGHT: Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling, 10(2), 150–163.
Renk, K., & Smith, T. (2007). Predictors of academic-related stress in college students: An examination of coping, social support, parenting, and anxiety. NASPA Journal, 44(3), 405–431.
Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57(3), 316-331.
Sahin, S., & Hepsogutlu, Z. B. (2018). Psychological resilience and coping strategies of high school students based on certain variables. Journal of Educational Sciences Research, 8(2), 49–64.
Santoso, M. D. Y. (2020). Review article: Dukungan sosial dalam situasi pandemi Covid 19. Jurnal Litbang Sukowati: Media Penelitian dan Pengembangan, 5(1), 11–26.
Sari, S. P., Aryansah, J. E., & Sari, K. (2020). Resiliensi mahasiswa dalam menghadapi pandemi Covid 19 dan implikasinya terhadap proses pembelajaran. Indonesian Journal of Guidance and Counseling: Theory and Application, 9(1), 17–22.
Seery, M. D. (2011). Resilience: A silver lining to experiencing adverse life events? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(6), 390–394.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. The American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.
Septiani, T., & Fitria, N. (2016). Hubungan Antara Resiliensi Dengan Stres Pada Mahasiswa Sekolah Tinggi Kedinasan. Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 07(02), 59–76.
Shatkin, J. P., & Diamond, U. (2015). Psychiatry’s next generation: Teaching college students about mental health. Academic Psychiatry, 39(5), 527–532.
Shkeer, A. S., & Awang, Z. (2019). International review of management and marketing exploring the items for measuring the marketing information system construct: An exploratory factor analysis. International Review of Management and Marketing, 9(6), 87–97.
Struthers, C. W., Perry, R. P., & Menec, V. H. (2000). An examination of the relationship among academic stress, coping, motivation, and performance in college. Research in Higher Education, 41(5), 581–592.
Ting, L., Morris, K. J., McFeaters, S. J., & Eustice, L. (2006). Multiple roles, stressors, and needs among baccalaureate social work students: An exploratory study. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 12(1), 39–55.
Veenhoven, R. (2012). Happiness: Also known as life satisfction and subjective well-being. Handbook of Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research, 1(December), 1–593.
Versteeg, M., & Kappe, R. (2021). Resilience and higher education support as protective factors for student academic stress and depression during Covid-19 in the Netherlands. Frontiers in Public Health, 9(October), 1–14.
Wilks, S. E. (2008). Resilience amid academic stress: The moderating impact of social support among social work students. Advances in Social Work, 9(2), 106–125.
Wong, P. T. P. (2011). Positive psychology 2.0: Towards a balanced interactive model of the good life. Canadian Psychology, 52(2), 69–81.
Zaheer, Z., & Khan, M. A. (2022). Perceived stress, resilience and psychological well-being among university students: The role of optimism as a mediator. Asian Social Studies and Applied Research, 3(1), 55-67.
Ahmed, U., Umrani, W. A., Qureshi, M. A., & Samad, A. (2018). Examining the links between teachers support, academic efficacy, academic resilience, and student engagement in Bahrain. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 5(9), 39–46.
Ali, A., Majeed, M. B., Saba, K., Bodenarain, A., & Bukhari, M. H. (2013). Effects of different sleeping patterns on academic performance in medical school students. Natural Science, 05(11), 1193–1198.
Alonso-Tapia, J., Garrido-Hernansaiz, H., Rodríguez-Rey, R., Ruiz, M., & Nieto, C. (2017). Personal factors underlying resilience: Development and validation of the resiliency questionnaire for adults. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 19(2), 104–117.
Alvin, N. (2007). Handling study stress: Panduan agar anda dapat belajar bersama anak-anak anda. Elex Media Computindo.
Aryani, F. (2016). Stres belajar: Suatu pendekatan dan intervensi konseling. Edukasi Mitra Grafika.
Awang, Z. (2012). Overview of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). In Z. Awang (Ed.), A Handbook on SEM (pp. 1–17). Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.
Awang, Z. (2014). Research methodology and data analysis. Contributions to Management Science (2nd ed.). Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.
Awang, Z. (2015). SEM made simple: A gentle approach to learning structural equation modelling. MPWS Rich Publisher.
Bahkia, A. S., Awang, Z., Afthanorhan, A., Ghazali, P. L., & Foziah, H. (2019). Exploratory factor analysis on occupational stress in context of Malaysian sewerage operations. In The 4th Innovation and Analytics Conference & Exhibition (IACE 2019) 25–28 March 2019, Kedah, Malaysia (Vol. 2138). AIP Publishing.
Baistaman, J., Awang, Z., Afthanorhan, A., & Rahim, M. Z. A. (2020). Developing and validating the measurement model for financial literacy construct using confirmatory factor analysis. Humanities and Social Sciences Reviews, 8(2), 413–422.
Bajaj, B., Khoury, B., & Sengupta, S. (2022). Resilience and stress as mediators in the relationship of mindfulness and happiness. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(February), 1-10.
Bedewy, D., & Gabriel, A. (2015). Examining perceptions of academic stress and its sources among university students: The perception of academic stress scale. Health Psychology Open, 2(2), 2055102915596714.
Bücker, S., Nuraydin, S., Simonsmeier, B. A., & Schneider, M. (2018). Subjective well-being and academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Journal of Research in Personality, 74(1), 83–94.
Burns, R. A., Anstey, K. J., & Windsor, T. D. (2011). Subjective well-being mediates the effects of resilience and mastery on depression and anxiety in a large community sample of young and middle-aged adults. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(3), 240–248.
Cohn, M. A., Fredrickson, B. L., Brown, S. L., Mikels, J. A., & Conway, A. M. (2009). Happiness unpacked: Positive emotions increase life satisfaction by building resilience. Emotion, 9(3), 361–368.
Diehl, M., Hay, E. L., & Chui, H. (2012). Personal risk and resilience daily stress. Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 32(1), 251–274.
Ehido, A., Awang, Z., Halim, B. A., & Ibeabuchi, C. (2020). Developing items for measuring quality of work life among malaysian academics: An exploratory factor analysis procedure. Humanities and Social Sciences Reviews, 8(3), 1295–1309.
Esia-Donkoh, K., Yelkpieri, D., & Esia-Donkoh, K. (2011). Coping with Stress: Strategies adopted by students at the Winneba Campus of University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. Online Submission, 2(1), 290–299.
Everly, G. S. (2008). The resilient child: Seven essential lessons for your child’s happiness and success. DiaMedica Publications.
Fawzy, M., & Hamed, S. A. (2017). Prevalence of psychological stress, depression and anxiety among medical students in Egypt. Psychiatry Research, 255(1), 186–194.
Fergus, S., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2005). Adolescent resilience: A framework for understanding healthy development in the face of risk. Annual Review of Public Health, 26(1), 399–419.
Fitriana, N., Hutagalung, F. D., Awang, Z., & Zaid, S. M. (2022). Happiness at work: A cross-cultural validation of happiness at work scale. PLoS ONE, 17(January), 1–16.
Gadzella, B. M., & Masten, W. G. (2005). An analysis of the categories in the student-life stress inventory. American Journal of Psychological Research, 3(1), 1-15.
Gusniarti, U. (2002). Hubungan antara persepsi siswa terhadap tuntutan dan harapan sekolah dengan derajat stres siswa sekolah plus. Psikologika: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Penelitian Psikologi, 7(13), 53-68.
Hartley, M. T. (2012). Assessing and promoting resilience: An additional tool to address the increasing number of college students with psychological problems. Journal of College Counseling, 15(1), 37–51.
Hjemdal, O. (2007). Measuring protective factors: The development of two resilience scales in Norway. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 16(2), 303–321.
Hwang, W. J., Lee, T. Y., Lim, K. O., Bae, D., Kwak, S., Park, H. Y., & Kwon, J. S. (2018). The effects of four days of intensive mindfulness meditation training (Templestay program) on resilience to stress: A randomized controlled trial. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 23(5), 497–504.
Indonesian Central Statistics Agency. (2022). Indeks kebahagiaan menurut klasifikasi wilayah 2014-2021. Badan Pusat Statistik Provinsi Sulawesi Utara.
Jones, R. (2020). Explaining relationships between stress and resilience in pharmacy students. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Khadijah, K., Maharani, M., & Khasanah, M. F. (2021). Resiliensi akademik mahasiswa terhadap pembelajaran daring. Educational Guidance and Counseling Development Journal, 4(2), 66–72.
Khawaja, N. G., & Stallman, H. M. (2011). Understanding the coping strategies of international students: A qualitative approach. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 21(2), 203–224.
Larcombe, W., Finch, S., Sore, R., Murray, C. M., Kentish, S., Mulder, R. A., Lee-Stecum, P., Baik, C., Tokatlidis, O., & Williams, D. A. (2016). Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of psychological distress among students at an Australian university. Studies in Higher Education, 41(6), 1074-1091.
Lower, K. E. (2014). Understanding resilience and happiness among college students. (Unpublished master thesis). Middle Tennessee State University.
Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, S. H. (1999). Subjective happiness scale. Social Indicators Research, 46(1), 137–155.
MacGeorge, E. L., Samter, W., & Gillihan, S. J. (2005). Academic stress, supportive communication, and health. Communication Education, 54(4), 365–372.
Masten, A. S. (2014). Ordinary magic: Resilience in development. Guilford Publications.
Misra, R., & Castillo, L. G. (2004). Academic stress among college students: Comparison of American and international students. International Journal of Stress Management, 11(2), 132–148.
Portzky, M., Wagnild, G., De Bacquer, D., & Audenaert, K. (2010). Psychometric evaluation of the Dutch resilience scale RS-nl on 3265 healthy participants: A confirmation of the association between age and resilience found with Swedish version. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Science, 24(1), 86–92.
Ramadanti, R., & Herdi, H. (2022). Hubungan antara resiliensi dan dukungan sosial dengan stress akademik mahasiswa baru di Jakarta pada masa pandemi Covid-19. INSIGHT: Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling, 10(2), 150–163.
Renk, K., & Smith, T. (2007). Predictors of academic-related stress in college students: An examination of coping, social support, parenting, and anxiety. NASPA Journal, 44(3), 405–431.
Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57(3), 316-331.
Sahin, S., & Hepsogutlu, Z. B. (2018). Psychological resilience and coping strategies of high school students based on certain variables. Journal of Educational Sciences Research, 8(2), 49–64.
Santoso, M. D. Y. (2020). Review article: Dukungan sosial dalam situasi pandemi Covid 19. Jurnal Litbang Sukowati: Media Penelitian dan Pengembangan, 5(1), 11–26.
Sari, S. P., Aryansah, J. E., & Sari, K. (2020). Resiliensi mahasiswa dalam menghadapi pandemi Covid 19 dan implikasinya terhadap proses pembelajaran. Indonesian Journal of Guidance and Counseling: Theory and Application, 9(1), 17–22.
Seery, M. D. (2011). Resilience: A silver lining to experiencing adverse life events? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(6), 390–394.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. The American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.
Septiani, T., & Fitria, N. (2016). Hubungan Antara Resiliensi Dengan Stres Pada Mahasiswa Sekolah Tinggi Kedinasan. Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 07(02), 59–76.
Shatkin, J. P., & Diamond, U. (2015). Psychiatry’s next generation: Teaching college students about mental health. Academic Psychiatry, 39(5), 527–532.
Shkeer, A. S., & Awang, Z. (2019). International review of management and marketing exploring the items for measuring the marketing information system construct: An exploratory factor analysis. International Review of Management and Marketing, 9(6), 87–97.
Struthers, C. W., Perry, R. P., & Menec, V. H. (2000). An examination of the relationship among academic stress, coping, motivation, and performance in college. Research in Higher Education, 41(5), 581–592.
Ting, L., Morris, K. J., McFeaters, S. J., & Eustice, L. (2006). Multiple roles, stressors, and needs among baccalaureate social work students: An exploratory study. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 12(1), 39–55.
Veenhoven, R. (2012). Happiness: Also known as life satisfction and subjective well-being. Handbook of Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research, 1(December), 1–593.
Versteeg, M., & Kappe, R. (2021). Resilience and higher education support as protective factors for student academic stress and depression during Covid-19 in the Netherlands. Frontiers in Public Health, 9(October), 1–14.
Wilks, S. E. (2008). Resilience amid academic stress: The moderating impact of social support among social work students. Advances in Social Work, 9(2), 106–125.
Wong, P. T. P. (2011). Positive psychology 2.0: Towards a balanced interactive model of the good life. Canadian Psychology, 52(2), 69–81.
Zaheer, Z., & Khan, M. A. (2022). Perceived stress, resilience and psychological well-being among university students: The role of optimism as a mediator. Asian Social Studies and Applied Research, 3(1), 55-67.
Published
2024-02-29
How to Cite
Fatimah, M., Fitriana, N., & Mohammed Radman Zaid, S. (2024). Resilience, academic stress, and happiness among higher education students. Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 9(1), 53-73. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss1pp53-73
Section
Articles
