THE MEDIATING ROLE OF RESILIENCE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COPING STRATEGIES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING: A CROSS-CULTURAL STUDY OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT University students often face various stressors that can affect their psychological well-being, including academic pressures and personal challenges. Coping mechanisms and resilience are essential elements in stress management and the preservation of mental health. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between coping mechanisms, resilience, and psychological well-being in university students, emphasising the mediating function of resilience. A quantitative research methodology was utilised, gathering data from 250 university students using an online survey. The research employed SPSS and Smart PLS for data analysis, utilising regression analysis to evaluate both direct and indirect impacts. The findings indicated that coping methods accounted for 71.1% of the variation in psychological well-being, with resilience serving as a notable mediator (indirect impact β = 0.3638, BootCI: 0.2397 to 0.5061). The findings suggest that students who use effective coping strategies are more likely to build resilience, which in turn enhances their psychological well-being. These results highlight the importance of fostering adaptive coping and resilience in the university context. Educational interventions aimed at strengthening these factors can improve students' mental health and academic success, particularly in culturally diverse populations. Integrating such interventions into university support services can create healthier learning environments and provide more effective mental health support to students.