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Thesis
Comparing Resilience and Grit: An Empirical Examination
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6803
Abstract
Exposure to traumatic experiences in the form of stressful and adverse life events is highly prevalent in society. Research shows that most people have experienced at least two adverse life experiences. Yet the vast majority of people do not experience serious post-traumatic symptoms. One possible explanation for the weak relationship between traumatic experiences and such negative outcomes is resilience, a human quality that buffers the effects of traumatic stress by adapting when faced with adversity and failure. Some research on resilience has been conducted to better understand its role as a possible mediator of post-traumatic negative outcomes and its functioning as a protective factor. This research has suggested that resilience may be one part of an overall successful process for overcoming the challenges of trauma or other adverse experience. The tenacity in persisting through such challenges to desired outcomes has been termed grit. Appraising the similarities and differences of these two constructs has proven to be challenging. First, there are inconsistencies and overlaps in the operationalization of each construct, blurring the boundaries that delineate each. Second, many investigators seem to consider resilience to be a component of grit, yet there is no empirical basis for doing so. There has been work on resilience and grit separately, but nothing comparing the two directly to gauge their relationship to one another and to a specific outcome. Finally, the fundamental question regarding the two constructs is whether they function similarly. This study will investigate the relationship between grit and resilience. For the present study, participants will be recruited to participate via Mechanical-Turk interface and Qualtrics. Participants will complete the ACE Questionnaire, Resilience Scale, Grit Scale, Vignette and Vignette Questionnaire, Validation Questionnaire, and report additional demographic information, including criminal conviction history, highest completed education level, gender, and age. It is hypothesized that there is a significant association between the operationalization of the constructs of grit and resilience. This hypothesis will be evaluated by calculating a Pearson correlation between participant scores on the Resilience Scale (RS-14) and Grit Scale (GR-S). Additionally, a combined exploratory factor analysis of the RS-14 and GR-S will be conducted. It is hypothesized that grit and resilience will constitute separate factors. Regarding grit, it is hypothesized that statistically significant main effects for perspective following a negative event and for outcome will be observed. Regarding resilience, it is hypothesized that statistically significant main effects for protective factors and outcome will be observed. The latter two hypotheses will be tested by calculating a between subjects Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) as each of the three variables included in the vignettes were systematically manipulated.
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Details
- Title
- Comparing Resilience and Grit
- Creators
- Jenika Hardeman - DU
- Contributors
- Kirk Heilbrun (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6803; 991014632213304721