Understanding Barriers and Resilience Among University Students: A Multifaceted Exploration

The current study examines the barriers faced by university students and investigates how patterns of these challenges are associated with student resilience. Using data collected from a sample of 281 university students, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), profile analysis, and logistic regression were utilized to identify distinct profiles based on the intensity and type of challenges encountered and then examine their relationship with resilience. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified five core barrier factors, academic pressures, psychological distress, social and interpersonal challenges, environmental and financial constraints, and institutional or structural barriers. From the five barrier factors extracted from the data, two primary profiles emerged: a subgroup that experienced fewer barriers and a subgroup that experienced relatively more barriers. Students in the more barriers group reported significantly greater difficulties across academic, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Lower resilience scores were strongly associated with membership in the more barriers profile. Additionally, undergraduate and international students were more likely to belong to the more barriers group, even when accounting for resilience levels. These results suggest that while resilience is crucial, it may not fully mitigate the challenges faced by specific student populations. The study provides further support for targeted institutional support, particularly for international students, to address the diverse barriers impacting student success and well-being.