Unmasking resilience in the ‘New Normal’: coping with unprecedented stressors amid COVID-19

Abstract

Resilience was critical for individual well-being under COVID-19 lockdown measures. Resilience fostered mental health and adaptive coping for students and working adults. Resilience promoted post-traumatic growth from the pandemic. There is a need to further resilience research and evidence-based intervent. The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a series of unparalleled lockdown measures that have had a profound impact on individuals on a global scale. In this context, resilience has emerged as a critical factor in effectively navigating the ‘new normal’ that has been shaped by the pandemic. Resilience encompasses the adept management of thoughts, emotions, and coping mechanisms and the pursuit of social support, all of which are beneficial in effectively navigating a constantly evolving environment. This review highlights the crucial role of resilience in effectively addressing the novel stressors arising from the implementation of lockdown measures during the pandemic. Research has documented that resilience promotes the adoption of effective study strategies in students undergoing remote learning and enables teleworking adults to sustain their job performance and psychological well-being, with resilient individuals demonstrating adaptability and strength in the face of novel challenges.