Abstract:
This research aimed to study the nature and problems of Thai university students Adversity Quotient (AQ), to analyze the principles, concepts and methods for enhancement of their AQ and to develop and experiment AQ enhancement program. The population included Thai university students and senior experts with the sample group of 1) 1,439 public and private university students, 2) 30 first-year students of Lampang Rajabhat University who voluntarily joined the program and 3) 8 senior experts. Besides, Researching tools composed as follows: 1.The main tools for studying each research objective. 2.The tools for studying and experimenting in Adversity Quotient Enhancement Program. The content analysis, descriptive statistics, frequency, mean, standard deviation, and t-test were employed in the data analysis. The research results could be summarized as follows. 1. According to the study of the nature and problems of AQ among 86.56% of Thai university students (1,439 students), their AQ problems with the three highest mean scores were the endurance (Mean =2.32, SD =0.691), problem solving (Mean =2.29, SD =0.702), and responsibility (Mean =2.23, SD =0.819), respectively. Despite the low level (Mean =2.25, SD =0.590) of overall mean score of AQ problems. 2. The content analysis of AQ enhancement was conducted through the exploration of the relevant textbooks, documents and research papers. The main concept was based on Stoltzs AQ Theory with the integration of Eastern and Western ideologies including the psychology, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. The senior experts were also interviewed to reflect the principles, concepts and methods for Thai university students AQ enhancement in 5 aspects: 1) self perception, 2) endurance, 3) perseverance, 4) problem solving, and 5) responsibility. 3. The development of AQ enhancement program was based on the study of the nature and problems of Thai university students AQ and the analysis of the principles, concepts and methods for enhancement their AQ. This analysis was made in conjunction with the analysis of the specialists attitudes including 1) principles, 2) objectives, and 3) procedures - 3.1) arrangement of the suitable environment for the sample group, 3.2) preparedness arrangement, 3.3) determination of the characteristics and duties of trainers and their staffs, 3.4) activities in the program :the orientation, 17 sessions of AQ training course (1.30 hours each), final orientation and 8 sessions of post-training supports (1.30 hours each) and 3.5) results of AQ enhancement based on the Adversity Quotient Assessment Form and Behavioral Observation Form and 4) experimental results after the implementation with the students. According to post-trial results, the students attending program activities had AQ improvement and higher AQ level when compared to the pre-trial one at the 0.5 level of significance. Therefore, it can be said that, according to those research results, the goals of Adversity Quotient Enhancement Program for Thai university students were achieved, particularly their AQ improvement.