“Normalizing” Everyday Life in the State of Emergency: Experiences, Well-Being and Coping Strategies of Emerging Adults in Serbia during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Although emerging adults are generally more physically resilient to the severe effects of COVID-19, they might be vulnerable to the psychological stressors brought about by the crisis. Using semi-structured interviews, this qualitative research aimed to explore the experiences, well-being, coping strategies and future expectations of 15 emerging adults in Serbia during the state of emergency caused by the global pandemic. As a result of thematic analysis, six main themes emerged, focusing on: 1) disruptions in everyday life and functioning; 2) the pandemic as a health crisis; 3) public reaction to the pandemic as a source of tension and frustration; 4) crisis as an opportunity; 5) coping strategies; 6) imagining the post-pandemic future. The present study points to the resilience and resourcefulness of emerging adults in the local context and emphasizes the heterogeneity of this age group and the vulnerability sources of those who might need additional support.