Disaster Mental Health
Marika Sigal, M.A.
PhD Student
University of California, Davis
Davis, California
Michael A. Medina, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral Scholar
University of California, Davis
Davis, California
Tseng M. Vang, M.A.
PhD Student
University of California, Davis
Davis, California
Adrienne Nishina, Ph.D.
Professor
University of California Davis
Davis, California
Amy Bellmore, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Melissa Witkow, Ph.D.
Professor
Willamette University
Salem,, Oregon
Background: Substantial research has examined physical and socioemotional hardships individuals have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., Ghosh et al., 2020), but less is known about young adults’ positive experiences and interactions (e.g., Venegas-Vera et al., 2020). Prior work suggests that significant traumas and challenges, such as those perpetuated by the current crisis, are often accompanied by newfound personal resilience or adaptability (Ungar, 2013). Examining this information is invaluable to practitioners and educators working to support individuals navigating the pandemic, while also increasing response preparedness for the future. We investigated young adults’ accounts of their positive experiences during COVID-19, predicting that response themes concerning psychological improvement or relationship strengthening would be positively associated with participants’ adaptive coping strategies and perspective taking.
Method: As part of a longitudinal study following graduates of two U.S. high schools, young adults completed online surveys in Spring 2021, approximately one year following widespread school closures (N = 274; 54% female; 24% Asian, 5% Black, 23% Latino/Hispanic, 19% Multiethnic, 23% White, 6% Other). Participants were asked, “What are some positive outcomes, if any, that have come out of this past year of the COVID-19 pandemic for you?” They also answered questions regarding their perspective taking (e.g., “I can communicate an idea in many different ways”), social support seeking (e.g., “I talk to somebody about how it made me feel”), and problem-solving behaviors (e.g., “I know there are things I can do to make it better”; Causey & Dubow, 1992; Spiekerman et al., 2021).
Results: Dual postdoctoral and graduate coders reported a 98% agreement rate on theme identification, with a third graduate coder settling discrepancies. Results uncovered eight themes (e.g., relationships, self-care, and accomplishments; see Table 1). Themes did not significantly differ across gender, ethnicity, school, or vaccination status. Upcoming mixed-method analyses will quantitatively associate these themes with participant responses on coping strategies (i.e., social support seeking or problem solving) and perspective taking behaviors.
Table 1.
Participants’ Themes
Theme | % Mentioned | Quote |
Relationships | 51% | “I treasure my relationships with family and friends more and I try to make as much memories with those that I love” |
Self-care | 31% | “Lots of time for self reflection and growth. Been able to focus on self care” |
Accomplishments | 24% | “I started my own business” |
Activities | 22% | “More time to read books and pick up hobbies” |
Miscellaneous | 7% | “Less time wasted traveling” |
Finances | 5% | “My household was not financially in need” |
Negatives | 5% | “The whole year has been difficult” |
COVID-19 | 4% | “I haven’t had COVID 19” |
Discussion: This work extends our understanding of young adults’ positive experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings suggest that most young adults found benefits in their interpersonal ties, followed by their personal triumphs and pursuit of mental and emotional well-being. Implications for practitioners and educators working with individuals during COVID-19 and beyond will be discussed.