A Systematic Review of Psychological Resilience in the COVID-19 Responses: Current Research and Future Directions

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of psychological resilience for well-being. However, no systematic review has been synthesizing global literature on this topic. This review examines psychological resilience across diverse populations, focusing on measurement, associated factors, and future public health preparedness strategies. Guided by the PRISMA, a thorough search of PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science was conducted in February 2024 including empirical studies considering psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic published in peer-reviewed English journals from 2020 to 2024, using search terms relevant to psychological resilience and COVID-19. Sixty-eight studies included, mostly using CD-RISC to measure psychological resilience. Multiple factors at various socio-ecological levels were associated with psychological resilience. Effective strategies in promoting resilience included promoting social connectedness through government policies and health communication campaigns and implementing personalized interventions such as telehealth services, resilience-training programs, and mindfulness-based interventions. For preparedness for future public health crises, long-term strategies emphasized investments in mental health services, resilience-building activities, and providing robust support for mental health across diverse populations. Community and educational initiatives should focus on mental health promotion programs in colleges and schools and life skills training to improve interpersonal skills and job crafting. Technological solutions like remote consultations, mHealth applications, and telehealth were also recommended. This review suggests that improving preparedness for future public health crises requires prioritizing investments in mental health services, resilience-building activities, and mHealth applications. These insights provide a foundational resource for research, policy, and interventions to strengthen resilience globally at individual, community, and structural levels.