EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

University students frequently encounter various stressors, including academic pressure, social transitions, and financial challenges, which can adversely affect their mental health. Psychological resilience has been increasingly recognised as a key protective factor that enables individuals to adapt positively to adversity and maintain emotional well-being. This study examined the relationship between psychological resilience and mental health among higher education students in Malaysia. A quantitative research design was employed using an online survey administered to 136 undergraduate students from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). The survey included demographic questions, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Resilience Scale (RS), both presented in validated Malay-language versions to ensure cultural relevance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank-order correlations to assess the associations between resilience and mental health outcomes. The results revealed significant negative correlations between resilience and depression (ρ = –.24, p = .005), resilience and stress (ρ = –.33, p < .001), and resilience and anxiety (ρ = –.22, p = .010), indicating that higher resilience is associated with lower psychological distress. Although the correlations were weak to moderate, the findings support existing evidence on the protective role of resilience. The study highlights the importance of integrating resilience-building programs into university mental health initiatives to enhance students’ coping abilities, well-being, and academic success