LONGITUDINAL ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN RESILIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Objective: Research on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has pointed out that lockdowns had small effects on the overall mental health, despite considerable heterogeneity among studies is present. Psychological resilience may be responsible for an amount of variance in individual reactions to the pandemic, despite the fact that its longitudinal associations with mental health symptoms remain unclear. This study sought to investigate changes in resilience and its relationships with depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A total of 814 participated in this longitudinal study via an online survey during the first lockdown consequent to the COVID-19 pandemic (T1) and during the third wave (T2). The Resilience Scale and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 were administered. Sociodemographic data and COVID-19 related information were also collected. Results: Psychological resilience decreased during the third wave of the pandemic, whereas depression and stress increased. Moreover, psychological resilience had a direct effect only on depression during the third wave, while its effect on anxiety and stress is mediated by the mental health during the first lockdown. Conclusions: The mental health symptoms worsened during the third wave, while protective factors such as resilience decreased. Individuals showing high resilience experienced lower depression, anxiety, and stress over time. Psychological intervention that enhances resilience should be embraced in the action of health care authorities to reduce the impact of pandemic.