Thriving Through a Pandemic

Global pandemics such as the coronavirus (COVID-19), can affect not only the physical health of individuals but also the psychological well-being (PWB). In a recent study, researchers show that the PWB during the pandemic is lower compared to the PWB before COVID-19, with psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nervousness, and hopelessness increasing during COVID-19. A poll from the American Psychiatric Association found that 36% of Americans in the United States have reported that COVID-19 has seriously impacted their mental health while 59% express the significant impact of the diseases in their everyday lives.

While the practice of everyday precautions and protocols are recommended for public safety and physical health, practicing everyday coping mechanisms is recommended for mental and psychological well-being. According to the biopsychosocial model of health, there are possibilities of multiple biological, psychological and social factors that could affect PWB. One research has found that epidemiology, a study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events, is a response to one critical resource on isolated variables. However, the biopsychosocial model of health represents frameworks on several variables together to assist in providing a more holistic understanding of the subjective health of individuals, especially on PWB.

The biopsychosocial model of health includes biological factors (gender, age, physical health), psychological factors (spirituality, emotional loneliness, social loneliness, and sense of agency), social factors (social media and neighbor safety), and economic factors (job security and income). Psychological variables such as spirituality can help provide hope, meaning and aid with forgiveness on others and self in difficult situations such as the coronavirus pandemic. Emotional loneliness, social loneliness, and a sense of agency are other variables that can affect the PWB of individuals. Yet social factors such as social media and neighborhood safety can decrease feelings of loneliness during the pandemic and offer opportunities for socialization.

By Practicing everyday coping mechanisms, the likelihood of psychological or mental illnesses decreases while the quality of life and PWB of individuals increase. Optimal PWB coping strategies can include intention and purpose, finding new things to enjoy in caring self, physical and spiritual health, cultivating meaningful relationships with family, friends, and with oneself. These such ways of coping encourage a sense of agency and promote self-discovery, journey, and peace. As the resourcefulness of individuals is not just coping with the challenges of the COVID-19 but to move forward and thrive.