The role of economic, personal and interpersonal resources in the mental wellbeing of individuals following the Coronavirus pandemic (covid-19)

The Covid-19 pandemic began in China's Wuhan region toward the end of 2019, and swiftly spread worldwide (Torales et al., 2020). While immediate efforts prioritized the protection of physical health, it's crucial to acknowledge the significant impact on mental well-being, which could have lasting negative effects ( Gershtenman- Shleff & Zaltsman, 2020). Given the widespread traumatic experiences such as loss of control, uncertainty, and helplessness coronavirus can be viewed as a collective trauma (Bar-Tur,2020; Einat, 2020).

This study builds upon Hobfoll's conservation of resources theory, emphasizing the role of personal resources in psychological adaptation following trauma or crisis (Hobfoll, 1989, 2001). Various studies have shown that individuals with fewer resources are more prone to be affected by traumatic events and crises compared to those with more resources (Hobfoll et al., 1991; Hobfoll et al., 2003).

The current study examined the association between loss of economic, personal, and interpersonal resources and psychological adaptation during the Covid-19 crisis (specifically anxiety and mental well-being). It also investigated whether age moderates the association between loss of resources and psychological adaptation.

A total of 142 participants took part in the study, including 87 young adults aged 18-59 and 55 older adults aged 60 and above, considered ‘at risk’ for contracting Covid-19 and experiencing disease complications. Participants completed online questionnaires including the CORE assessment of resources, mental well-being, anxiety, and socio-demographic characteristics. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software to explore relationships between variables. Additionally, the PROCESS macro was used to examine age as a moderator of the association between loss of resources and psychological adaptation.

The findings suggest that personal, interpersonal, and economic resource loss due to the Covid-19 crisis are linked to poorer psychological well-being and increased anxiety. There was an interaction between age and loss of personal resources in explaining anxiety, with a stronger association found among younger as compared to older participants. Additionally, there was an interaction between age and loss of familial resources in explaining anxiety, with a significant association evident only among older participants.

These findings provide insights into the role of economic, personal, and interpersonal resources in long-term psychological adaptation after a crisis. Additionally, the findings may offer practical knowledge for therapeutic professionals and assist entities involved in addressing unique crisis situations. They highlight the importance of personal resources in coping with unique crisis situations among young participants, family support systems among older participants, and economic resources in the general population. Such understanding can inform intervention programs aimed at enhancing mental resilience and coping abilities within these groups.