Overcoming barriers: the role of resilience as a mediating factor in academic engagement

The study of variables like engagement and resilience has become increasingly relevant in higher education in recent years, given their crucial role in fostering active participation in the teaching-learning process. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the mediating role of resilience in the generation of academic engagement processes, analyzing variables such as satisfaction, social integration and self-regulated learning. To this end, structural equations were carried out using SmartPLS 4 with a sample of 1167 Spanish university students. The results contribute to the theoretical understanding of academic engagement by highlighting the interaction between the proposed variables and the mediating role of resilience in university. Furthermore, they highlight the need for higher education institutions to implement strategies that promote resilience, social integration, and self-regulated learning, which can improve student engagement and increase retention rates. This study suggests practical implications for the development of retention policies and student support programs that focus on fostering these key aspects.