A Study on Resilience: a Positive Response to Risk and Adversity among High School Students

Leny O. Estacio
[email protected]

Director, Center for Counseling and Student Development
University of Baguio, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Journal of the Asian Graduate College | year 10 No. 4 Oct. - Dec. 2020  www.casjournal.cas.ac.th/detiajournal.php?idupdate=&id=1133&position3=4&position=10

Abstract

Adolescence is a transitional phase in human development which is characterized by both opportunities for growth and adversity. It is then of interest that when it comes to this period of transition, adolescents vary in their responses to adversity. Some undergo emotional crisis while some display resilience. This study looked into the perceived dimensions of resilience of grade 11 senior high school students as a positive response to risk and adversity. The researcher made use of the descriptive survey to examine the nine dimensions, and it was found out that adolescents see themselves as able to display at a very high degree the following dimensions of resilience when faced with risk and adversity: acceptance, religiosity, optimism, purpose, and persistence. Also, they were able to display at a high degree self-esteem, humor, independence, and social intelligence when faced with risk and adversity. Differences were also shown when the data obtained were compared according to sex and type of curriculum. Further, from the findings, a proposed mental health and wellness program was designed, which capitalizes or makes use of what adolescents already have: resilience. Adolescence is a transitional phase in human development which is characterized by both opportunities for growth and adversity. It is then of interest that when it comes to this period of transition, adolescents vary in their responses to adversity. Some undergo emotional crisis while some display resilience. This study looked into the perceived dimensions of resilience of grade 11 senior high school students as a positive response to risk and adversity. The researcher made use of the descriptive survey to examine the nine dimensions, and it was found out that adolescents see themselves as able to display at a very high degree the following dimensions of resilience when faced with risk and adversity: acceptance, religiosity, optimism, purpose, and persistence. Also, they were able to display at a high degree self-esteem, humor, independence, and social intelligence when faced with risk and adversity. Differences were also shown when the data obtained were compared according to sex and type of curriculum. Further, from the findings, a proposed mental health and wellness program was designed, which capitalizes or makes use of what adolescents already have: resilience.

Keywords: resilience, risk, adversity, mental health and wellness, adolescence