Resilience of Greek Youth at an Educational Transition Point: The Role of Locus of Control and Coping Strategies as Resources

Variable- and person-focused approaches were applied to study the resilient outcomes of 326 Greek male and female 1st year university students at a major educational transition point. Results indicated that resilience was related to both cognitive and behavioural psychosocial resources in late adolescence. Locus of control emerged as an important resource which affected adaptation in the face of difficulties. Active and avoidance coping strategies significantly influenced adaptation, as did adversity. Under low adversity, avoidance coping was used; under high adversity, however, both active and avoidance coping were used equally. Resilient and adapted young people utilised more resources than the maladaptive youths, and demonstrated significantly higher levels of positive adaptation. Excelling-resilient adolescents utilised coping resources expertly.