Maintaining Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Network Analysis of Well-Being Responses from British Youth

• DOI: 10.55913/joep.v1i1.13
• Publication Date: 2023-03-07T00:07:03Z
• Authors: Alison Fang-Wei Wu; Deniz Konac; Laura Riddleston; Taryn Hutchinson; Belinda Platt; Victoria Pile; Jennifer Y.F. Lau
• Keywords: Pandemic; Well-Being; Social Connectedness; Affect

COVID-19 has significant impacts on young peoples’ lives and emotions. Understanding how people maintain well-being in the face of challenges can inform future mental health intervention development. Here we applied network analysis to data gathered from 2532 (12-25 years) residing UK during pandemic identify structure across crucially, its central defining features. Gender age differences networks were also investigated. Across all participants, items emerged two clusters: 1) optimism, positive self-perception, social connectedness, 2) processing problems ideas. The features were: “I’ve been dealing with well” thinking clearly”. There minimal gender differences. Our findings suggest that perception being able process ideas efficiently could be a hallmark well-being, particularly challenging circumstances. These contrast pre-pandemic studies point affect as aspects networks. Future interventions encourage problem-solving flexibility useful helping times stress uncertainty.