Factors related to adversity quotient in junior high school students^†

Abstract Objectives To determine the level of adversity quotient and its associations with rumination, optimism, and authoritative parenting style in junior high school students. Adversity quotient is the adaptation ability to overcome problems and obstacles with a positive attitude. Early adolescence, as a critical stage of life, needs to cultivate adversity quotient. However, adversity quotient and its influencing factors in adolescents have not been fully understood. Methods A total of 129 students from 3 junior high schools (grade 7–9) in Chon Buri province, Thailand, were randomly recruited to participate in this correlational research study. They completed 5 questionnaires including the demographic form, adversity quotient assessment, authoritative parenting style, optimism, and rumination. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. Results Adversity quotient was at a moderate level with a mean of 138.78 (standard deviation [SD] = 21.25). Adversity quotient was significantly, positively correlated with authoritative parenting at the highest level ( r = 0.60), followed by optimism at a moderate level ( r = 0.38), and rumination at a low level ( r = 0.25, P < 0.01). Conclusions All parties responsible for early adolescents’ development should enhance the adversity quotient to a higher level through campaigns promoting authoritative parenting and optimism. An unexpected positive correlation between adversity quotient and rumination warrants cautious interpretation and more studies.