Understanding the early development and supportive factors of individual resilience in times of COVID-19

This study explores how individuals cultivate their psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic—an ongoing adversity worthy of exploration. Drawing on 55 semi-structured interviews, our qualitative research revealed an early pathway towards individual resilience, socioecological factors influencing the development of individual resilience, and lessons learned across the two observed phases - during and after the first COVID-19 lockdown (Europe, March–May 2020). The study shows three early, interrelated phases towards development of individual resilience - reflecting and making sense of what happened, experiencing hope for better life and regaining control in life. It unveils socioecological factors influencing the cultivation of individual resilience at micro, meso and macro levels. Furthermore, the study shows how life lessons learned could reflect the early development of individual resilience. The study contributes to the psychological resilience literature by exploring the early development of resilience over time and different contexts, and the role of socioecological in harnessing resilience.