Refining Resilience: Grit, Growth Mindset, and Mindfulness in Adolescent Females

This quasi-experimental, mixed-methods action research study explored perceived levels of resilience for academic and peer-related settings among sixth-grade females in an independent middle school. A 5-week after-school intervention aimed to provide treatment participants with the opportunity to foster resilience by utilizing grit, growth mindset, and mindfulness practices. Pre and postsurveys (n = 26) completed by treatment and control groups showed that sixth-grade females experience a number of different academic and peer-related stressors with some of the most common stressors including bad grades in a class and feeling left out by peers. Survey findings also showed that treatment and control participants rated themselves highest in areas of flexibility for both peer and academic settings. Treatment and control participants rated themselves lowest on questions related to self-efficacy and emotional regulation in both peer and academic settings. While there were not statistically significant increases in perceived levels of resilience found for the treatment group pre- and post-intervention, interviews with treatment participants (n = 16) and workshop artifacts indicated that students found the exercises taught in the intervention helpful to navigate academic and peer related stressors they encounter. Implications for practice and research are discussed.