Abstract
The current study explores the relationship between three constructs of high relevance in the context of adversities which have, however, not yet been systematically linked on the level of psychological dispositions: psychological vulnerability, psychological resilience, and social cohesion. Based on previous theoretical and empirical frameworks, a collection of trait questionnaires was assessed in a Berlin sample of 3,522 subjects between 18 and 65 years of age. Using a confirmatory factor analytical approach, we found no support for a simple three-factor structure. Results from exploratory structural analyses suggest that instead of psychological resilience and psychological vulnerability constituting two separate factors, respective indicators load on one bipolar latent factor. Interestingly, some psychological resilience indicators contributed to an additional specific latent factor, which may be interpreted as adaptive capacities, that is, abilities to adapt to changes or adjust to consequences of adversities. Furthermore, instead of evidence for one single social cohesion factor on the psychological level, indicators of perceived social support and loneliness formed another specific factor of social belonging, while indicators of prosocial competencies were found to form yet another distinct factor, which was positively associated to the other social factors, adaptive capacities and social belonging. Our results suggest that social cohesion is composed of different independent psychological components, such as trust, social belonging, and social skills. Furthermore, our findings highlight the importance of social capacities and belonging for psychological resilience and suggest that decreasing loneliness and increasing social skills should therefore represent a valuable intervention strategy to foster adaptive capacities.
Highlights
In light of the exacerbated global mental health challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is enduring and increasing interest in the various and complex accounts for the maintenance and recovery of mental health and psychological wellbeing
The current study was conducted as part of the longitudinal CovSocial project that aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown on a variety of biopsychosocial factors related to vulnerability, resilience and social cohesion in the Berlin population using a multimeasurement approach
The identified social cohesion indicators of trust, belonging, social engagement and interaction did not load on a single social cohesion factor but rather two further factors emerged: social belonging and social capacities, which in turn were positively intercorrelated with the adaptive capacities factor
Summary
In light of the exacerbated global mental health challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is enduring and increasing interest in the various and complex accounts for the maintenance and recovery of mental health and psychological wellbeing. In the face of adversities, individuals show a variety of skills and abilities that are dispositional to the mitigation. While vulnerability involves a set of individual characteristics that promote susceptibility to harm [1, 2], resilience describes a general ability to bounce back in the aftermath of adversities [3– 5]. Conceptualizations of vulnerability and resilience have increasingly moved away from a mere focus on these individual characteristics, highlighting the role of socioecological systems for developmental outcomes when exposed to adversity [6, 7]. Despite these process-oriented notions, dispositional vulnerability and resilience remain conceptually and empirically largely detached from social aspects
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