Factors Affecting the Psychological Resilience of Adolescents in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, China

Jiaye  Li; Paradee  Kambhu Na Ayudhaya; Thammachot  Aeamtussana

doi:10.60027/iarj.2026.e289810

Authors

Jiaye Li Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6314-8722
Paradee Kambhu Na Ayudhaya Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9854-1187
Thammachot Aeamtussana Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3100-7694

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60027/iarj.2026.e289810

Keywords:

Adolescents, Psychological Resilience, Sense of Meaning in Life, Growth Mindset, Fixed Mindset, Mindfulness, Confucianism

Abstract

Background and Aim: Adolescents worldwide face significant mental health challenges. Up to 30% of them suffer from mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. In high-pressure educational environments, such as those in China, approximately 40% of students report experiencing high academic stress. Psychological resilience is crucial for adolescents to handle stress and setbacks, reducing the risk of anxiety and depression. In Dezhou city, Shandong province, China, adolescents face modern academic pressures and are also influenced by Confucian values. Confucianism, including benevolence (Ren), righteousness (Yi), propriety (Li), wisdom (Zhi), and fidelity (Xin), is linked to psychological resilience development, shaping adolescents' moral outlook and enhancing their ability to tackle challenges. For educational management, analyzing psychological resilience in this specific cultural and educational context is vital. This examination can offer insights into supporting adolescents' academic success and well-being amid the unique pressures of the Chinese educational system. This study explores factors influencing adolescents' psychological resilience, such as a sense of meaning in life, a growth mindset, a fixed mindset, mindfulness, and Confucianism. It uniquely combines Confucianism with commonly studied factors to provide a comprehensive understanding of resilience in this context.

Methodology: This study used the quantitative research method and data collection through a questionnaire survey. The population was 7,020 adolescents in grades 10-12 from Dezhou city, Shandong Province. The sample size was 365 adolescents obtained by stratified random sampling. The data analysis used the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.

Result: The results are as follows: 1) Adolescents' psychological resilience in Dezhou, Shandong, is positively correlated with sense of meaning in life, growth mindset, mindfulness, and Confucianism (p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with fixed mindset (p < 0.001). 2) Regression analysis indicated Confucianism (β= 0.236, p < 0.001) and the sense of meaning in life (β= 0.234, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors. Growth mindset (β= 0.167, p < 0.05) and mindfulness (β= 0.107, p < 0.05) also significantly predicted resilience, while fixed mindset (β= -0.186, p < 0.01) reduced resilience.

Conclusion: This study reveals that adolescents' psychological resilience is significantly influenced by a sense of meaning in life, growth mindset, fixed mindset, mindfulness, and Confucianism. These factors collectively explain 47.8% of the variance in psychological resilience among adolescents in Dezhou, Shandong Province, China. The research highlights the importance of integrating cultural values with psychological constructs to enhance resilience in specific cultural contexts. This study also shows that building life meaning, fostering a growth mindset, practicing mindfulness, and engaging with Confucianism can boost adolescents' psychological resilience. This helps them handle academic and life challenges, promoting academic and social development. These results offer valuable insights into educational management for creating targeted school interventions and support systems. Schools can strengthen students' moral and psychological development by integrating Confucianism into modern curricula. Implementing mindfulness programs and fostering a growth mindset through teacher training can build resilience. These strategies are beneficial for designing school-based mental health programs to support adolescents in facing challenges.

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