The Impact of Social Support on Academic Resilience Mediated by Positive Affect in University Students

Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of social support on academic resilience in university students, with positive affect as a mediating variable, using a structural equation modeling approach. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 440 undergraduate students from universities in South Africa, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table through stratified random sampling. Standardized instruments were used, including the Academic Resilience Scale (ARS-30), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Positive Affect subscale of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-PA). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 for descriptive and Pearson correlation analyses, and AMOS version 21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Model fit was evaluated using χ², χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, RMSEA, and TLI indices. Findings: Pearson correlation analysis showed significant positive associations between social support and academic resilience (r = .54, p < .001), social support and positive affect (r = .57, p < .001), and positive affect and academic resilience (r = .49, p < .001). The SEM demonstrated good model fit (χ²/df = 1.79, GFI = 0.95, AGFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.042, TLI = 0.96). Social support had a significant direct effect on academic resilience (β = .34, p < .001) and on positive affect (β = .41, p < .001). Positive affect significantly predicted academic resilience (β = .29, p < .001). The indirect effect of social support on academic resilience through positive affect was also significant (β = .12, p < .001). Conclusion: The findings highlight the dual role of social support as both a direct predictor of academic resilience and an indirect predictor via positive affect. These results underscore the importance of fostering supportive social environments and positive emotional experiences in higher education to enhance resilience among students.