A personal value system—a meaningful source of strength

Cynthia A. Lietz and Breanna M. Carpenter Lietz

Chapter 12 in How to Build Resilience in College Students, 2026, pp 121-131 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Having a personal value system that guides one's choices is another influential protective factor that can mitigate risk associated with loss, trauma, and other stressors for many college students. A personal value system includes a moral compass that determines what a person considers to be “right” or “wrong.” Although professionals working in higher education should not impose their own personal value system on students, it is important that all students have developed their own sense of morality, and college is a great place to do that. For some, their personal values are shaped by spirituality. Spirituality involves a belief in something larger than oneself. This can involve a connection to nature or the environment, and it can also include belonging to a faith tradition. Some get concerned about stepping into the complicated topic of religion, particularly for public institutions. With that said, many people who overcome high levels of adversity talk about prayer and their faith community as essential to their process of resilience. For this reason, creating space and openness to understand how morality and spirituality are important to these students is a part of further developing this protective factor.

Keywords: Resilience; College students; Protective factors; Values; Morality; Spirituality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035365081
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