What is it about?
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many new stressors and changes to daily life. People have had to learn how to adapt and cope more effectively. Our study examined the functioning of military veterans receiving outpatient mental health treatment in 2020. We observed how pandemic-related stressors increased anxiety and depression compared to before the pandemic. However, positive behaviors involving more physical activity, contact with friends and family, and gratitude buffered the impact of stressors on anxiety and depression. In other words, helpful behavioral changes made during the pandemic lessened—or even eliminated for some veterans—the effects of stressors on mental health.
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Why is it important?
People may have some control over how stressors affect their mental health! It may be possible to increase psychological resilience by doing things that add meaning, purpose, and a sense of wellbeing to our lives. Specific examples of positive change behaviors from this study included paying more attention to physical health, exercising, discovering new meaning in work or school related activities, spending more time outdoors, having quality time with loved ones, and doing more enjoyable activities. Importantly, our study showed that people with mental health challenges can exhibit resilience to stressors, too. This finding is particularly relevant for health care providers during the pandemic and beyond. Providers may be able to help people with mental illness build their capacity for resilience by showing them how to effectively create time and space for meaningful experiences.
Perspectives
When the COVID-19 pandemic started, my life abruptly changed. Like many people, I started working from home full-time. My romantic partner and I would go for long periods without seeing our friends and family in-person. Plus, many of the activities we used to do were no longer possible. It was stressful. However, we got to do many new activities like virtual fitness classes and walks to previously unexplored parts of our neighborhood. We also had opportunities to connect with far away friends by video. Those activities made a difference in our sense of wellbeing. I hope this study encourages all of us to be more proactive about making time for life enhancing activities—they are important for recharging us so we can bounce back from stressors.
Craig Marquardt
Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Evaluating resilience in response to COVID-19 pandemic stressors among veteran mental health outpatients., Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, December 2022, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/abn0000789.
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