Abstract
The influence of resilience on the stress process and on self-esteem of university students was investigated.University students (N= 342; Mean age= 19.84 ± 3.09 years) participated in the study and completed the following scales: Resilience Scale for Students, the short version of the Daily Negative Stressor Scale for University Students, the Stress Response Scale 18 and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale. Factor analysis of the responses revealed that the Resilience Scale for Students consisted of 5 factors: “Social support” “Positive evaluation” “Competence” “Significant others” and “Intimacy”. A structural equation model on the influence of resilience on stress process and on self-esteem suggested that “Individual Resilience” had a buffering effect on stress and enhanced self-esteem. Conversely, “Environmental Resilience” indirectly decreased the stress response and increased self-esteem through “Individual Resilience”. Based on these findings, we have discussed the role of resilience in the stress process as well as in self-esteem.
