BackgroundMedical vocational college freshmen face severe challenges to their psychological resilience from various stressful events upon their enrollment. This qualitative study aimed to explore the authentic experiences and intrinsic characteristics of psychological resilience among medical vocational college freshmen.MethodsThe study employed a descriptive phenomenological design. A purposive sample of 24 medical vocational college freshmen was recruited as participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data between January 2025 and February 2025. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the Colaizzi descriptive analysis method.ResultsData analysis identified nine subthemes falling into three macrothemes: (a) Challenges: The Erosion of Psychological Resilience, describing how freshmen’s psychological resilience is eroded when they face difficulties in adapting to college life; (b) Support: The Recovery of Psychological Resilience, focusing on how freshmen regain resilience through internal and external support; (c) Cognition: The Maintenance of Psychological Resilience, explaining the factors that promote the sustained development of freshmen’s psychological resilience.ConclusionFreshmen face pressures in academics, interpersonal relationships, and self-management. Family and peer support, together with personal growth, contribute to resilience recovery. Educators should employ cognitive restructuring, experiential learning, and other strategies to help maintain their psychological resilience.
Radically different