Resilience, Coping Strategies and Posttraumatic Growth in the Workplace Following COVID-19: A Narrative Review on the Positive Aspects of Trauma

Georgia Libera Finstad, Gabriele Giorgi, Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli, Caterina Pandolfi, Giulia Foti, José M. León-Perez, Francisco J. Cantero-Sánchez and Nicola Mucci
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Georgia Libera Finstad: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Gabriele Giorgi: Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy
Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli: School of Occupational Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Caterina Pandolfi: Business @ Health Laboratory, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy
Giulia Foti: Business @ Health Laboratory, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy
José M. León-Perez: Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Francisco J. Cantero-Sánchez: Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Nicola Mucci: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-25

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a traumatic event that has profoundly changed working conditions with detrimental consequences for workers’ health, in particular for the healthcare population directly involved in addressing the emergency. Nevertheless, previous research has demonstrated that traumatic experiences can also lead to positive reactions, stimulating resilience and feelings of growth. The aim of this narrative review is to investigate the positive aspects associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the possible health prevention and promotion strategies by analyzing the available scientific evidence. In particular, we focus on the constructs of resilience, coping strategies and posttraumatic growth (PTG). A literature search was performed on the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Psycinfo databases. Forty-six articles were included in the literature synthesis. Psychological resilience is a fundamental variable for reducing and preventing the negative psychological effects of the pandemic and is associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety and burnout. At the individual and organizational level, resilience plays a crucial role in enhancing wellbeing in healthcare and non-healthcare workers. Connected to resilience, adaptive coping strategies are essential for managing the emergency and work-related stress. Several positive factors influencing resilience have been highlighted in the development of PTG. At the same time, high levels of resilience and positive coping strategies can enhance personal growth. Considering the possible long-term coexistence and consequences of COVID-19, organizational interventions should aim to improve workers’ adaptive coping skills, resilience and PTG in order to promote wellbeing.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; trauma; growth; psychological health; workers’ wellbeing; occupational health and safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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