Learning agility, self-efficacy, and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education: insights from a mixed-methods study

IntroductionThis study examines how learning agility, academic self-efficacy, academic buoyancy, and psychological well-being interrelate to influence mental health and factors theoretically linked to academic success in undergraduate students.MethodsUsing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods des...

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Main Authors: He Huang, Heung Kou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1528066/full
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author He Huang
Heung Kou
author_facet He Huang
Heung Kou
author_sort He Huang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study examines how learning agility, academic self-efficacy, academic buoyancy, and psychological well-being interrelate to influence mental health and factors theoretically linked to academic success in undergraduate students.MethodsUsing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data were gathered from 804 undergraduates using validated scales for each construct. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) tested hypothesized relationships, and multi-group analysis explored gender differences in the model. In a qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with 30 participants provided deeper insights into the quantitative findings, with thematic analysis of adaptive learning, resilience, and well-being.ResultsSEM findings showed that learning agility and academic self-efficacy positively predicted academic buoyancy and psychological well-being, with academic buoyancy partially mediating these relationships. Gender differences were non-significant, supporting model generalizability across genders. Qualitative analysis emphasized adaptive learning strategies, resilience in overcoming academic stressors, and psychological well-being as a process, with social support identified as essential in fostering resilience.DiscussionThe findings underscore the importance of learning agility, self-efficacy, and academic buoyancy in supporting students’ academic resilience and mental health. By enhancing these factors within academic settings, institutions can promote student well-being and engagement, reinforcing the link between psychological well-being and academic achievement.
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spelling doaj-art-3500c6c136554895afa6ecdc2ed097032025-08-20T03:29:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-07-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15280661528066Learning agility, self-efficacy, and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education: insights from a mixed-methods studyHe HuangHeung KouIntroductionThis study examines how learning agility, academic self-efficacy, academic buoyancy, and psychological well-being interrelate to influence mental health and factors theoretically linked to academic success in undergraduate students.MethodsUsing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data were gathered from 804 undergraduates using validated scales for each construct. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) tested hypothesized relationships, and multi-group analysis explored gender differences in the model. In a qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with 30 participants provided deeper insights into the quantitative findings, with thematic analysis of adaptive learning, resilience, and well-being.ResultsSEM findings showed that learning agility and academic self-efficacy positively predicted academic buoyancy and psychological well-being, with academic buoyancy partially mediating these relationships. Gender differences were non-significant, supporting model generalizability across genders. Qualitative analysis emphasized adaptive learning strategies, resilience in overcoming academic stressors, and psychological well-being as a process, with social support identified as essential in fostering resilience.DiscussionThe findings underscore the importance of learning agility, self-efficacy, and academic buoyancy in supporting students’ academic resilience and mental health. By enhancing these factors within academic settings, institutions can promote student well-being and engagement, reinforcing the link between psychological well-being and academic achievement.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1528066/fulllearning agilityacademic self-efficacyacademic buoyancypsychological well-beingresiliencemixed-methods study
spellingShingle He Huang
Heung Kou
Learning agility, self-efficacy, and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education: insights from a mixed-methods study
Frontiers in Psychology
learning agility
academic self-efficacy
academic buoyancy
psychological well-being
resilience
mixed-methods study
title Learning agility, self-efficacy, and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education: insights from a mixed-methods study
title_full Learning agility, self-efficacy, and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education: insights from a mixed-methods study
title_fullStr Learning agility, self-efficacy, and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education: insights from a mixed-methods study
title_full_unstemmed Learning agility, self-efficacy, and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education: insights from a mixed-methods study
title_short Learning agility, self-efficacy, and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education: insights from a mixed-methods study
title_sort learning agility self efficacy and resilience as pathways to mental health in higher education insights from a mixed methods study
topic learning agility
academic self-efficacy
academic buoyancy
psychological well-being
resilience
mixed-methods study
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1528066/full
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AT heungkou learningagilityselfefficacyandresilienceaspathwaystomentalhealthinhighereducationinsightsfromamixedmethodsstudy