Profiling Cross-Generational Cyber Resilience through Scale Development

Judit Módné Takács; Monika Pogátsnik

doi:10.3991/ijep.v15i7.58939

Authors

Judit Módné Takács Obuda University Alba Regia Faculty, Székesfehérvár, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8463-4032
Monika Pogátsnik Obuda University Alba Regia Faculty, Székesfehérvár, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2698-7291

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v15i7.58939

Keywords:

Cyber Resilience, Digital Natives, Scale Development

Abstract

This study develops and validates the personal cyber resilience scale (PCRS) to identify resilience profiles and explore differences between Gen Z engineering students and Gen Alpha students nearing higher education. A mixed-methods study (N = 3275) employed EFA, CFA, and K-means clustering, supplemented by qualitative analysis. We developed a robust 32-item, seven-factor PCRS (α = .871) and identified four stable profiles. Profile distribution differed significantly by generation (p = .011) and gender (p < .001), with qualitative data providing context to these differences. The PCRS is an effective tool for measuring youth cyber resilience, and the profiles can inform targeted prevention strategies in educational contexts.

Author Biographies

Judit Módné Takács, Obuda University Alba Regia Faculty, Székesfehérvár, Hungary

Judit Módné Takács is an assistant lecturer at Obuda University Alba Regia Faculty. Her primary research areas include engineering education, cybersecurity awareness, the role and development of soft skills in engineering education, the methodology of adult education, and the study of methods that encourage and motivate students to learn and apply STEM subjects practically.

Monika Pogátsnik, Obuda University Alba Regia Faculty, Székesfehérvár, Hungary

Monika Pogátsnik is an associate professor and vice dean for education at the Alba Regia Faculty of Obuda University. Her main research area is engineering pedagogy, with a special emphasis on work-based learning, non-cognitive skills, and career attitudes.

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