RESILIENCE/VULNERABILITY FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF COLLEGE ADJUSTMENT

It may be assumed that the various resources individuals have will be needed in coping with the adjustments required in college. Any deficits in individuals¿ psychological make-up or maladaptive coping strategies will block their adjustment to college. Within this idea of adjustment, adjustment to college and psychological well being were predicted by several variables named as personality, hardiness, and coping strategies under a stressful condition. Results indicated that problem focused coping and helplessness/self blame had a mediator role between personality variables and psychological well being. Neuroticism was named as a vulnerability factor. Students with neuroticism as a personality characteristic were regarded as risk groups, who were likely to use helplessness/self blame coping. On the other hand, personality characteristics such as conscientiousness, openness/intellect, and hardiness were concluded to be a resilience factors together with problem focused coping.