Factors associated with resilient Thai students of international programs

Abstract

This  cross-sectional  study   was  conducted  to identify the percentage of students   who  had high level of resilience  and  examine   factors  associated  with  resilience  among  Thai  students  in international programs in Bangkok and   suburb,  Thailand.  Data collection  were conducted  among  Thai  students aged  18 to  24 in three international  programs  in  May  2017.  A  self-administered    questionnaire  employed  was  composed  of demographic factors,  Connor-Davidson  Resilience  Scale  (CD-RISC)  and  Adverse  childhood  experiences (ACEs)  questionnaire.  A  total  of  379 questionnaires  were  used  in  data  collection  and  for  analysis.  Chi-square  tests  were  performed  to  identify  the  association  between  independence   variables  and  resilience  and  multiple  logistic  regression  was used  to  determine  predictors  of  resilience.

The   result   showed  over  half  (53%) of  respondents  were  in  high  level  of   resilience.  The  result  of Chi-square   tests  showed  that  age  and  peer  support   were   the   factors  significantly  associated  with  resilience level  (p-value<0.01).   In  logistic  regression,  age  (Adj. OR=    2.53, 95%CI=1.52-4.20)  sex (Adj.   OR=1.67, 95%CI=1.07-2.61)  and  peer  support  (Adj. OR=2.70,  95%CI=1.66-4.41)   were  significant   factors.   In  conclusion,   an  individual who   has  low  resilience  could  be  difficult  to deal  with adversity  or difficulties regardless  of  ACEs  level, and  it  would  be more   essential  to explore  the protective   factors   that  lead  to positive   adaptation   in   different  contexts.

The   result  also implied  that resilience  could  have  been  nurtured as the   times  go by  with  close  peer company  in   their lives.  Especially  among  youths in  the  study,  male  had  higher  resilience  than  female. However,  there  are still unknown  complex   factors  behind   resilience  and   need  to  continue  further
investigation  for  complex   factors  under  the  process  of   their  lives.