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

Author

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  • Georgia Libera Finstad

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
    Business @ Health Laboratory, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgia Libera Finstad & Gabriele Giorgi & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Caterina Pandolfi & Giulia Foti & José M. León-Perez & Francisco J. Cantero-Sánchez & Nicola Mucci, 2021. "Resilience, Coping Strategies and Posttraumatic Growth in the Workplace Following COVID-19: A Narrative Review on the Positive Aspects of Trauma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-25, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9453-:d:631021
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    5. Grzegorz Józef Nowicki & Barbara Ślusarska & Bożena Zboina & Aneta Jędrzejewska & Marzena Kotus, 2022. "Factors Predicting Post-Traumatic Positive and Negative Psychological Changes Experienced by Nurses during a Pandemic COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Maria Clelia Zurlo & Federica Vallone & Maria Francesca Cattaneo Della Volta, 2022. "Perceived Past and Current COVID-19-Stressors, Coping Strategies and Psychological Health among University Students: A Mediated-Moderated Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-19, August.
    7. Ylse van Dijk & Sarah I. M. Janus & Michiel R. de Boer & Wilco P. Achterberg & Corne A. M. Roelen & Sytse U. Zuidema, 2022. "Job Demands, Work Functioning and Mental Health in Dutch Nursing Home Staff during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Multilevel Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, April.
    8. Kirsten Barnicot & Rose McCabe & Angeliki Bogosian & Renos Papadopoulos & Mike Crawford & Peter Aitken & Tanja Christensen & Jonathan Wilson & Bonnie Teague & Ravi Rana & Donna Willis & Ryan Barclay &, 2023. "Predictors of Post-Traumatic Growth in a Sample of United Kingdom Mental and Community Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.
    9. İzgüden, Dilruba & Erdem, Ramazan, 2022. "Disease-based traumas transform lives: A qualitative study focused on healthcare professionals11This study was produced from the doctoral thesis titled "A Study on the Transformative Role of Heal," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    10. Tomasz Sobierajski & Stanisław Surma & Monika Romańczyk & Marek Krzystanek, 2023. "The Global Pandemic as a Life-Changer? Medical, Psychological, or Self Help during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Representative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-21, January.
    11. Maddalena Grazzini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Nicola Mucci & Diana Paolini & Antonio Baldassarre & Veronica Gallinoro & Annarita Chiarelli & Fabrizio Niccolini & Giulio Arcangeli, 2022. "Return to Work of Healthcare Workers after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Determinants of Physical and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, June.
    12. Jose M. León-Pérez & Mindy K. Shoss & Aristides I. Ferreira & Gabriele Giorgi, 2021. "Emerging Issues in Occupational Health Psychology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-4, November.
    13. Suk-Jung Han & Ji-Young Chun & Hye-Jin Bae, 2022. "Post-Traumatic Growth of Nurses in COVID-19 Designated Hospitals in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, December.

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