Cultivating Resilience: Identifying Systemic Risk and Protective Factors in the Modern College Student Population

This study evaluates the psychological well-being and stress resilience of Stony Brook University (SBU) students using the 5-Elements of Systemic Wellbeing Framework and EQ phases of the EQUIP Model. The primary objective was to establish a baseline of mental health promotion factors and protective environmental conditions to identify key intervention areas for prevention. A convenience sample of SBU students completed the Psychological Health Survey and the Protective Factors Assessment, which measure the five elements: Secure, Regulated, Valued, Decided, and Related. The findings indicated that students demonstrated relative strengths in Decided (Self-Efficacy) and Related (Interpersonal) domains across both measures. However, the study pinpointed the Regulated (Emotional Control) and Secure (Psychological Safety) domains as the primary areas for intervention, suggesting a need to enhance emotional control and establish more psychologically safe, reliable environments. Data analysis revealed that a previous mental health diagnosis is separate from a person's psychological health and resilience. Further analysis of geographical risk factors revealed short sleep duration, lack of social/emotional support, and lack of leisure-time physical activity as the top modifiable community risks. This research supports the utility of a non-clinical, strength-based framework in providing personalized, evidence-based preventive recommendations that are demographically agnostic and scalable for university populations.