Uncovering the Key Drivers that Strengthen Students’ Academic Resilience in Open, Distance, and Digital Education Higher Institutions

This study emphasises the vital role of students’ academic resilience in enhancing success within higher education institutions offering open, distance, and digital education (ODDE). Given the unique challenges faced by ODDE students, such as limited face-to-face interactions and increased dependence on self-regulation and support systems, understanding the factors that strengthen resilience is critical. The primary aim was to examine how self-regulated learning, academic stress, faculty and peer support, and academic grit influence academic resilience among ODDE students. Data were collected through a structured survey, with a purposive sampling approach targeting students enrolled in ODDE programs. Out of 454 distributed questionnaires, 336 valid responses were obtained, and 311 samples were deemed suitable for analysis based on quality criteria. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyse the data, with hypothesis testing revealing that academic grit, faculty and peer support, and self-regulated learning significantly positively influence resilience, while academic stress showed no significant effect. These findings suggest that fostering grit, support systems, and self-regulation strategies can effectively enhance resilience in online and digital learning contexts. For future research, longitudinal studies are recommended to explore resilience development over time, along with intervention-based research to identify effective methods of strengthening these factors. The practical implications of this study highlight that institutions should implement targeted programs focusing on resilience-building, stress management, and support mechanisms to improve student success and well-being. Overall, the study contributes valuable insights to the theoretical frameworks of SRL and resilience, emphasising the importance of holistic approaches to fostering resilience in ODDE students for sustained academic and personal growth.