Examining the relationships between psychological resilience, perceived social support levels and life skills among university students

In this study, the relationship between the levels of psychological resilience and perceived social support of university students and their life skills was examined. It was also investigated whether psychological resilience, perceived social support and life skills differed according to various demographic variables. The study was carried out with the participation of 517 students studying in various departments of Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa. Participants were selected using the convenience sampling method. The data of the study were obtained using the Brief Resilience Scale, the Revised Form of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Life Skills Scale. The Demographic Information Form was given to the participants to obtain information on demographic variables. Correlation analysis was applied to determine the main dimension and sub-dimension relationships in the study. Structural equation modeling was also applied to define structural relationships. Normality test was performed for the dimensions and non-parametric tests were used since normal distribution could not be achieved according to the test result. As a result of the research, it was concluded that psychological resilience and perceived social support have a positive and significant effect on life skills. In addition, it was determined that there is a positive relationship between psychological resilience and perceived social support. A significant difference was found in the psychological resilience, family support sub dimension, special person support sub-dimension, perceived social support, skills to cope with emotions and stress sub-dimension according to the gender variable; in the friend support sub dimension according to the age variable; in the psychological resilience, family support sub dimension and friend support sub-dimension according to the income perception variable; and in the family support sub-dimension and life skills general and sub-dimension according to the education level.