Cited by 273COVID-19 and Mental HealthResilience and Mental HealthStress and Burnout Research

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

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Finstad, Georgia Libera, Giorgi, Gabriele, Lulli, Lucrezia Ginevra, Pandolfi, Caterina, Foti, Giulia, León-Perez, José M., Cantero-Sánchez, Francisco J., Mucci, Nicola·2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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.

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Crossref · 10.3390/ijerph18189453

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  • Previous studies indicated that variables such as social support and psychological resilience after trauma may be effective mediators on PTG.

    “Previous studies indicated that variables such as social support and psychological resilience after trauma may be effective mediators on PTG (Ahmadi & Mehrabi, 2020; Finstad et al., 2021).”

    From Post-Traumatic Growth in University Students After Earthquakes: The Effect of Perceived Social Support and Psychological Resilience (2025) · cites this paper as Finstad et al., 2021

    The Introduction and Results (section 3.1; page not available) report that resilience predicts or is associated with PTG. They do not establish that resilience mediates an effect on PTG; section 3.1 instead describes it as a moderator in one study. The cited passages link social support to resilience, but do not show social support mediating PTG. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Findings regarding the direct effect of social support on PTG are inconsistent in the literature.

    “However, findings regarding the direct effect of social support on PTG are inconsistent in the literature (Finstad et al., 2021).”

    From Post-Traumatic Growth in University Students After Earthquakes: The Effect of Perceived Social Support and Psychological Resilience (2025) · cites this paper as Finstad et al., 2021

    The Introduction says findings on the relationship between resilience and PTG are inconclusive, not findings on social support’s direct effect on PTG. The Results (sections 3.1 and 3.3) mention perceived social support in relation to resilience and discuss factors associated with PTG, but do not assess whether findings on a direct social-support–PTG effect are inconsistent. Searched for social support and PTG together, including direct effects. (LLM, conf=0.72)

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Authors
Finstad, G. L., Giorgi, G., Lulli, L. G., Pandolfi, C., Foti, G., León-Perez, J. M., Cantero-Sánchez, F. J., & Mucci, N.
Affiliations
  • European University of Rome (IT)
  • University of Florence (IT)
  • Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Corresponding author
Finstad, Georgia Libera
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-09-08
Volume
18
Issue
18
Pages
9453
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3196750800
Cited by
273
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 76 · 2023: 80 · 2022: 51 · 2021: 6
FWCI
7.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Florence Research (University of Florence) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Deposito de Investigacion Universidad de Sevilla (University of Seville) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, psychological resilience, coping strategies, posttraumatic growth, employee well-being, healthcare workers, occupational stress, burnout, anxiety and depression, organizational interventions, positive psychology
MeSH terms
Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Adaptation, Psychological, Health Personnel, Humans, Workplace, Resilience, Psychological, Pandemics

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