Profiles of family resilience and college adjustment among Chinese Undergraduates: A latent profile and network analysis approach

Abstract

Background

College adjustment profoundly influences undergraduates’ work and personal lives as they transition into society. Family resilience theory has emerged as one of the most frequently cited frameworks in risk management and coping research.

Objective

This study employed Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) and network analysis to investigate the complex reciprocal relationship between family resilience and college adjustment from a family systems perspective.

Methods

A total of 869 college students aged 18–24 years (M_age = 20.06, SD = 1.02) participated in the study, completing the Chinese Family Resilience Assessment Scale and the China College Student Adjustment Scale.

Results

(1) The LPA identified three distinct profiles of family resilience (i.e., low, moderate, and high) and two profiles of college adjustment (i.e., adjustive and potential adjustive). (2) Network analysis revealed that problem-solving, harmony, and cohesion emerged as the core elements of the family resilience network across all levels. (3) “Learning adjustment” was identified as the key link between family resilience and college adjustment. (4) In the low family resilience- potential adjustive group, social support acted as a bridge connecting family resilience and college adjustment, though it was negatively correlated with learning adjustment. In contrast, in the high family resilience-college adjustive group, the two variables were distinctly organized into separate clusters.

Conclusion

Family resilience and college adjustment demonstrate distinct profiles, with the network structures of family resilience and social adaptability exhibiting unique characteristics across different subgroups. This study provides valuable insights into family resilience and its relationship with college adjustment among undergraduate students.