Understanding student optimism through academic grit, social connectedness, and resilience

This study investigated the interrelationships between academic grit, social connectedness, resilience, and optimism in university students using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Quantitative structural equation modeling (SEM) of survey data ( N = 372) revealed that academic grit and social connectedness were significantly associated with resilience, which, in turn, statistically accounted for their associations with optimism. Qualitative thematic analysis of student diaries ( n = 40) provided rich contextual insights, illustrating how students navigate academic challenges, utilize social support, and develop resilience as a self-reflective process linked to optimism. These findings highlight the intervening role of resilience in connecting the benefits of perseverance and social bonds to a positive outlook during academic life. While the cross-sectional nature of the data precludes causal claims, the findings align with a theoretical framework where resilience, grit, and social connectedness interact within university settings to enhance student well-being and academic success. Educational implications include interventions targeting resilience-building, social support networks, and the cultivation of grit to promote student optimism and overall positive academic trajectories.