Fostering Resilience of Students at the University: Assessing the Influence of Peers’ Socioeconomic and Cultural Status

This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between students' socioeconomic backgrounds and their academic performance at university, with a particular focus on the role of peers' socioeconomic and cultural status. Drawing on extensive administrative data from MOBYSU.IT and other sources, the study examines how the high school and university contexts interact to influence the resilience of low-socioeconomic-status (SES) students during their first year of university. The research employs a multilevel logistic modeling approach to disentangle the effects of various factors, including individual resources, high school context, and university context, on students' academic outcomes. Key findings reveal a strong interaction between the socioeconomic conditions of peers in high school and university, highlighting the complex dynamics that foster or hinder resilience among low-SES students. The chapter provides a nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to academic success, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers interested in promoting equity and resilience in higher education.