Predicting Resilience Among University of Ibadan Undergraduates: the Role of Social Support, Self-Efficacy and Coping Strategies.

Literature has revealed that resilience is crucial for students to navigate academic and personal challenges effectively. However, the extent to which students in the University of Ibadan exhibit resilience varies, potentially affecting their academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. This variability highlights the need to explore the factors that predict resilience among undergraduates. This study, therefore, examined social support, self-efficacy, and coping strategies as predictors of resilience among University of Ibadan undergraduates.

A descriptive survey research design of a correlational type was adopted for the study. The sample comprised 200 undergraduates, randomly selected from four faculties. Data were collected using the following instruments: Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), Coping Strategies Scale, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Three research questions were formulated and answered at a 0.05 level of significance. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and multiple regression analysis.

The results indicate that the combined effect of social support, self-efficacy, and coping strategies on resilience was significant (F(199) = 19.622, p < 0.05) and accounted for 54.2% (Adjusted R² = 0.542) of the variance in resilience. In terms of relative contribution, social support (β = 0.783, t = 6.629, p < 0.05) was the strongest predictor, followed by self-efficacy (β = 0.419, t = 3.324, p < 0.05) and coping strategies ( β = 0.374, t = 1.907, p < 0.05).

Based on the findings of this study, recommendations were made: that university authorities should integrate resilience-building programs into the curriculum to help students navigate academic and life stressors effectively, establish strong social support systems, enhance self-efficacy through mentorship and training on problem solving skills, counselling psychologist should implement coping strategy workshops to equip students with effective stress management techniques to significantly improve students' resilience, academic performance, and mental well-being. Suggestions for future research were made which include consideration of larger sample sizes, including multiple universities, and exploring additional resilience predictors such as financial stability and institutional support.

Keywords: Resilience, Social support, Self-efficacy and Coping strategies.
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