Research Article

Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude

Volume: 55 Number: 2 August 31, 2026
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Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine whether the variables of self-compassion, gratitude, and grit have a protective effect against learned helplessness among individuals in emerging adulthood. The study employed a quantitative method with a descriptive research design. The study group consists of 356 individuals in the emerging adulthood period. Of the participants, 254 are female (71.3%) and 102 are male (28.7%). We found that the learned helplessness variable had significant negative correlations with all other variables. According to the results of the stepwise multiple regression analysis, we found grit, self-compassion, and gratitude as the predictors of learned helplessness. Accordingly, in the first model, grit alone predicts 42.2% of the variance in learned helplessness; grit and self-compassion together predict 47.7%; and grit, self-compassion, and gratitude together predict 48.3% of the variance. All models were found to be statistically significant (p <.001). Addressing factors that protect individuals from learned helplessness may be helpful in preventive work, especially for those working in the field of mental health. We believe that intervention studies that consider these factors will make meaningful contributions to well-being research at the individual and societal levels.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychological Counseling and Guidance (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

August 23, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 55 Number: 2

APA
Bozkurt, E. G., Ergin, A., & Kardaş, F. (2026). Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 55(2), 1123-1147. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1771167
AMA
1.Bozkurt EG, Ergin A, Kardaş F. Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55(2):1123-1147. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1771167
Chicago
Bozkurt, Elif Güner, Aynur Ergin, and Ferhat Kardaş. 2026. “Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 (2): 1123-47. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1771167.
EndNote
Bozkurt EG, Ergin A, Kardaş F (August 1, 2026) Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 2 1123–1147.
IEEE
[1]E. G. Bozkurt, A. Ergin, and F. Kardaş, “Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude”, Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 1123–1147, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.14812/cuefd.1771167.
ISNAD
Bozkurt, Elif Güner - Ergin, Aynur - Kardaş, Ferhat. “Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55/2 (August 1, 2026): 1123-1147. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1771167.
JAMA
1.Bozkurt EG, Ergin A, Kardaş F. Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55:1123–1147.
MLA
Bozkurt, Elif Güner, et al. “Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 1123-47, doi:10.14812/cuefd.1771167.
Vancouver
1.Elif Güner Bozkurt, Aynur Ergin, Ferhat Kardaş. Protective Factors Against Learned Helplessness in Emerging Adulthood: Grit, Self-Compassion and Gratitude. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Aug. 1;55(2):1123-47. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1771167

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