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Trauma or Empowerment: Developmental Challenges and Transformative Processes Among College Students with Left-Behind
Xiongying Li1, Wanyi Zhao1, Qianwen Liu2
1Institute of Higher Education, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road 222, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730000, China.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
College students with left-behind experience develop resilience by transforming adversity into resources. They use cognitive, emotional, and behavioral strategies to foster personal growth and empowerment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Growing number of college students have left-behind experience.
- Existing research often focuses on negative impacts, neglecting resilience.
- Need to understand how adversity is transformed into resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine negative and positive effects of left-behind experience.
- Identify mechanisms of positive transformation in college students.
- Extend resilience theory to this population.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.
- 16 college students with left-behind experience participated.
- Thematic analysis of interview data.
Main Results:
- Left-behind experience yields both costs (emotional sensitivity, relationship difficulties) and resilience (independence, responsibility).
- Students employ cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, and behavioral engagement to convert adversity.
- Positive transformation shifts experiences from trauma to empowerment.
Conclusions:
- Left-behind experience does not solely determine outcomes; meaning-making and resource integration are key.
- Findings offer a strengths-based framework for psychological support and education.
- University policies should adopt a resilience-focused approach beyond deficit models.
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