Work

Academic buoyancy and adaptability: A multisample study of reciprocal effects.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Students' capacity to effectively respond to academic challenge (buoyancy) and change (adaptability) is important for their academic and social-emotional well-being.To date, buoyancy and adaptability have been operationalized as correlated predictors of well-being outcomes, with no empirical consideration given to their potential influence on each other over time.Harnessing conservation of resources theory and data from six two-wave studies totaling 5,931 school students, we investigated this question via six cross-lagged panel analyses (one for each study).Across the six analyses, findings demonstrated reciprocal effects such that buoyancy and adaptability mutually reinforced each other over time.In addition to offering further conceptual and empirical clarification of buoyancy and adaptability, the findings suggest that practice efforts to support students' buoyancy and adaptability will not only benefit these constructs directly but also mutually reinforce each other over time. Educational Impact and Implications StatementChallenge and change are common in students' academic experiences.Academic buoyancy and adaptability are two personal qualities that help students respond effectively to these demands.This study shows that these two strengths reinforce one another over time: Students who cope well with academic challenges are more capable of adjusting to changes, and students who adapt well to change are better equipped to manage academic challenges.Together, these results suggest that educational practices should deliberately aim to strengthen both buoyancy and adaptability to better support students in managing challenge and change in their academic lives.

Source: Journal of Educational Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/edu0001073