The resilience and mental health experiences of emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: Creating safeguards for the future
Date
2022
Authors
Roberts, Jillian
Humbert, Bianca
MacMillan, Robyn
Duff, Celeste
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Open
Abstract
There is limited research on the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on emerging adults from diverse
communities, including those with disabilities, international students, and students who identify as part of the LGBTQ2AAI+
community. A purposeful sample of seven undergraduate students, between the ages of 19 and 30, at a university in British
Columbia, Canada, participated in this study. In-depth narrative style interviews were conducted via Zoom. Data were
analyzed thematically and from a resilience lens framework. This study demonstrates that participants experienced a diversity
of challenges, and thus engaged in differing processes of adjustment. Four protective factors were identified: (1) Positive
relationships; (2) Perceived efficacy; (3) Purpose and ambition; and (4) Sense of normality. This study contributes towards the
limited research base, and thus offers valuable insights, which can inform university policy makers, university administration,
and public health policy makers to be better positioned to develop innovative adaptions of services and/or delivery.
Description
Keywords
emerging adulthood, COVID-19 pandemic, mental health, resilience, social isolation, protective factors, vulnerable populations
Citation
Roberts, J., Humbert, B., MacMillan, R., & Duff, C. (2022). “The resilience and mental health experiences of emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: Creating safeguards for the future.” SAGE Open, 12(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221082148