Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Surahman Surahman ¹
• Dedi Kuswandi ²
• Imanuel Hitipeuw ³
• Augusto da Costa ⁴

¹ Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia.

² Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Education, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia

³ Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia

⁴ Department of Psychology, Instituto Superior Cristal, Dili, Timor Leste

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the structural model of academic buoyancy among students experiencing daily academic problems, focusing on the roles of grit, academic anxiety, social support, and the mediating effect of self-efficacy. This descriptive-correlational study involved 900 undergraduate students from four universities in Malang, Indonesia, with data collected between February and April 2025 using a multistage cluster random sampling technique. Participants were screened to ensure they faced routine academic challenges such as coursework load, exam pressure, and time management difficulties. Data were collected using the Academic Buoyancy Scale (ABS), Short Grit Scale (Grit-S), Academic Anxiety Scale (AAS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), all demonstrating strong psychometric properties. Structural equation modeling showed that grit, social support, and self-efficacy positively predicted academic buoyancy, whereas academic anxiety had a negative effect. Self-efficacy also mediated the effects of grit, academic anxiety, and social support on academic buoyancy. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening self-efficacy, promoting grit, and reducing academic anxiety to enhance students’ buoyancy in managing academic demands. The study provides theoretical insights and practical implications for developing psychological interventions and educational strategies in higher education.

Keywords

• Anxiety
• Problem Behavior
• Self-efficacy
• Social Support
• Student