Social connectedness and resilience among emerging adults challenged by urban disadvantage and COVID-19

Abstract

This study is a sub-study of an existing study titled, ‘The multisystemic sources of human resilience to COVID-19-related stress: Learning from emerging adults in India and South Africa (RYSE-SAIn)’ (Ethics clearance: UP17/05/01 THERON). RYSE-SAIn aims to investigate resources associated with emerging adult resilience to COVID-19-related stress in disadvantaged communities. The purpose of my study of limited scope was to describe the relational resources that emerging adults have identified as resilience-enabling. In my study, which was framed by the Social Ecology Theory of Resilience, resilience, specifically in the face of significant adversity, is defined as the capacity to adapt successfully. To fulfil the aforementioned purpose, I conducted a qualitative study using a phenomenological research design. The draw-and-write method was used to generate data from 293 participants, aged 18-29 years, who were living in urban disadvantaged areas in Gauteng, South Africa. I analysed the data through inductive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: ‘Social Connectedness Offers Emotional Comfort’, including the sub-themes: Stirring Courage and Creating a Sense of Connectedness; ‘Social Connectedness Provides Resources and Practical Assistance’; and ‘Social Connectedness Facilitates Access to Enabling Information’. The themes indicate that emotional support was central to enabling the resilience of emerging adults. Family was voiced repeatedly as central in resilience-enabling relationships. These findings enhance knowledge of relational resilience and provide insight into which relational supports emerging adults identify as most meaningful. Educational psychologists wanting to promote the resilience-enabling processes of emerging adults should recognise the extent to which emotional support contributes to emerging adult resilience.