The impact of supervisor support on academic adaptation of medical research postgraduates: a serial mediation model of research self-efficacy and psychological resilience

Supervisor support (SS) constitutes a core element in cultivating academic Master of Medical Science (MMS) students, yet the psychological mechanisms associated with academic adaptation (AA) remain insufficiently elucidated. This study investigates the pathways through which supervisor support influences academic adaptation via research self-efficacy (RSE) and psychological resilience (PsyRes). Employing a cross-sectional design, 1,486 academic MMS students from two medical universities in Xinjiang were surveyed through cluster sampling. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) validated variable associations, while Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) tested chain mediation effects. Results indicated significant positive correlations between supervisor support and research self-efficacy (r = 0.411, P < 0.001), psychological resilience (r = 0.379, P < 0.001), and academic adaptation (r = 0.623, P < 0.001). Research self-efficacy strongly correlated with psychological resilience (r = 0.760, P < 0.001) and academic adaptation (r = 0.619, P < 0.001), while psychological resilience positively was positively associated with academic adaptation (r = 0.634, P < 0.001). Redundancy analysis revealed the first canonical variable (U₁ = −0.643X1 − 0.374X2) explained 96.3% of supervisor support variance, with the second (U₂ = −2.654X1 + 2.705X2) explaining 3.7%. Further mediation analysis revealed a significant direct effect of supervisor support on academic adaptation was 0.377 (95% CI:0.346,0.408), accounting for 67.20% of the total effect. The total indirect effect through research self-efficacy and psychological resilience was 0.184 (95% CI:0.159,0.210), representing 32.80% of the total effect, confirming significant chain mediation (P < 0.001). The findings suggest that to enhance academic adaptation, we recommend strategically leveraging supervisor support, cultivating positive research mindsets, proactively tracking motivation and efficacy, and facilitating deep scientific engagement.