Life Experiences and Resilience in College Students: A Relationship Influenced by Hope and Mindfulness

Abstract

This study examines the effects of hope and mindfulness on the relationship between life experiences and resilience, as well as the direct relationships among these constructs. Participants were 537 undergraduates who were taking online courses at Texas A&M University. Most participants were traditionally-aged and female. Quantitative self-report measures for each construct were administered online via SurveyMonkey. The small, positive relationship between life events and resilience approached, but did not reach, statistical significance, and hope but not mindfulness was found to moderate this relationship. Correlations were significant, positive, and linear between resilience and hope (r = .57, p < .01), resilience and mindfulness (r = .50, p less than .01), and hope and mindfulness (r = .44, p less than .01). Suggestions for clinical interventions aimed at increasing resilience by increasing hope and mindfulness are provided