A Study of Resilience development in First-Generation College Students from the Perspective of Social-Ecological Systems Theory

To explore the development process of resilience, the study conducted in-depth interviews with 12 first-generation college students (FGCSs) at a regional comprehensive university, based on ecological systems theory. Research findings indicate that resilience evolution exhibits significant heterogeneity, categorized into three pathways—stepwise enhancement, fluctuating compensation, and declining lock-in. individuals with high-resilience reconstruct support networks via proactive practices. Environmental resource compatibility determines the sustainability of resilience development. Accordingly, the findings indicate a hierarchical intervention system that activate individual agency at the microsystem level, establish dynamic support mechanisms at the exosystem level, and address structural exclusion at the macrosystem level.