Katherine Anne D. Ambat

THE MODERATING ROLE OF RESILIENCE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EUDAIMONIC WELL-BEING AND RISK-TAKING BEHAVIORS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS Katherine Anne Diy Ambat Miriam College Young adults face numerous challenges during their university years, often engaging in risk-taking behaviors that can have long-term consequences. This study investigated the relationships between eudaimonic well-being, resilience, and risk-taking behaviors among university students in the Philippines, focusing on drug use, heavy alcohol consumption, and self-harm. The research aimed to examine whether resilience moderates the relationship between eudaimonic well-being and these risk behaviors. A sample of 350 students completed measures of eudaimonic well-being (Flourishing Scale), resilience (Brief Resilience Scale), and risk-taking behaviors (Risky, Impulsive, and Self-Destructive Behavior Questionnaire). Results revealed significant negative correlations between eudaimonic well-being and all three risk behaviors, as well as between resilience and these behaviors. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that both eudaimonic well-being and resilience negatively predicted risk-taking behaviors. Furthermore, resilience was found to moderate the relationship between well-being and risk behaviors, with the negative association between well-being and risk-taking being strongest at low levels of resilience. These findings were consistent across drug use, heavy alcohol consumption, and self-harm, though the patterns varied slightly for each behavior. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on the interplay between positive psychological factors and risk-taking in young adults. It highlights the potential protective roles of both eudaimonic well-being and resilience against engagement in risky behaviors during a critical developmental period. The results suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing both eudaimonic well-being and resilience may be more effective in reducing risk-taking behaviors than focusing on either factor alone. This research has important implications for developing holistic approaches to promoting healthy development and reducing risky behaviors among university students, emphasizing the need for programs that foster a sense of purpose and meaning while also building resilience skills. Keywords: eudaimonic well-being, resilience, risk-taking behavior, young adults, university students