The Serial Mediating Effect of Family Cohesion and Self-esteem on the Relationship between Academic Resilience and Academic Performance

Authors

Mani Abdul Karim¹*, Alibha Mishra², Ankita Behera², Arikta Samal²

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, XIM University, Odisha, India
² Department of Psychology, XIM University, Odisha, India.

Abstract

Academic resilience plays a crucial role in helping students overcome challenges and achieve academic success, yet the mechanisms through which it influences performance remain less explored. This study examined the mediating effects of family cohesion and self-esteem on the relationship between academic resilience and academic performance among students aged 13 to 21 years. A total of 238 students from schools and colleges in Odisha, Eastern India, participated in the study, of which 220 valid responses were analyzed. Standardized scales assessed academic resilience, family cohesion, self-esteem, and academic performance, and the hypothesized serial mediation model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The model demonstrated acceptable fit (SRMR = 0.061, NFI = 0.91) and explained substantial variance in self-esteem (R² = 0.29) and academic performance (R² = 0.34). Results indicated that academic resilience was positively associated with both family cohesion and self-esteem. Furthermore, family cohesion enhanced self-esteem, which in turn predicted higher academic performance. The relationship between academic resilience and academic performance was partially mediated through the sequential pathway of family cohesion and self-esteem. These findings provide empirical support for resilience theory, social support theory, and self-determination theory by highlighting how personal and environmental factors operate together in a serial process to influence academic outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening family bonds and fostering self-esteem as key strategies for enhancing the academic performance of adolescents and young adults. Implications for educators, counselors, and policymakers are discussed, along with directions for future research.

Keywords: academic resilience, self-esteem, family cohesion, academic performance, mediation analysis

PAGES:35-62

doi:10.24193/cbb.2026.30.03

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