“I am still here!” Undergraduate medical students’ perceptions of resilience

Abstract

This study explored students’ perceptions as resilient learners. Participants were 500 South African medical school students (59.0% female; pre-clinical group median age 20 years; clinical group median age 22.6 years). The students completed an open-ended questionnaire on factors impacting their resilient learning. Thematic analysis of the data indicated that students reported factors such as intrinsic motivation and family support to contribute to higher levels of resilience. Those self-reporting with less resilience were of the view that their pre-existing mental health challenges impeded resilient learning. Student support services should factor in personal and social assets and liabilities on students in supporting their resilient learning