Correlates of Adolescent- and Parent-Reported Grit in a Sample of At-Risk Youth

This study examined intrapersonal correlates of adolescent- and parent-reported grit, as well as grit as a protective factor in the relation between adverse experiences and adjustment in a sample of at-risk youth. Data were collected from 110 parent-adolescent dyads (71.8% males). Adolescents ranged in age from 16 to 19 years and were attending a residential military-style intervention program. Parent reports of adolescents’ grit were moderately correlated with adolescents’ self-reported grit. Within informants, adolescent grit was correlated with better adjustment. Adolescent self-reported grit was also moderately correlated with boldness and personal growth. In a simultaneous regression model, self-efficacy and personal growth contributed unique variance to scores on self-reported grit, and personal growth significantly moderated the relation between adolescent grit and self-reported psychosocial adjustment; however, grit did not moderate the relation between adverse experiences and adjustment. Implications of these results for further understanding resilience in at-risk youth are discussed.