Identification of Mental Health Protective Factors in Individuals with a Positive History of COVID-19

In the project, it is aimed to determine the protective factors that can be the source of people's recovery and maintain their well-being in the face of difficult situations as individuals and families, especially in the negative conditions that affect the society collectively after major disasters such as COVID-19, and to examine how these factors can be further strengthened. Resilience experiences of individuals suffering from COVID-19 are grouped under four main themes: 1) Protective factors, 2) Risk factors, 3) Positive outcomes, and 4) Emotions. Protective factors are divided into internal and external protective factors. Risk factors consist of social exclusion, disruption of education in the family and economic problems. Positive outcomes include strengthening family relationships, changing meaning in life, and exploring opportunities for improvement. Internal protective factors consist of spirituality, hope and optimism. Extrinsic protective factors include social support, family ties, and healthy lifestyle choices. It is seen that the participants have three different risk factors. These are 1) Social exclusion, 2) Disruption of education in the family, and 3) Economic problems. Participants state that there are positive developments that have occurred to them after the COVID-19 process. These positive developments are discussed under the heading of positive outcomes. Within the scope of the research, among the emotions felt by individuals who contracted COVID-19 during this process, they experienced emotions such as fear, helplessness, surprise, sadness, guilt, indifference and frustration. • Mental health professionals who provide psychological support to COVID-19 patients can specifically evaluate resilience. • To point out the concept of "social support" as the most important protective factor for individuals with COVID-19 positive, to raise awareness in the society about this issue, to use and encourage methods and tools that will increase the quality of relationships with family, friends and relatives, even from a distance. studies are recommended. • The concepts of spirituality, hope and optimism, which are expressed among the internal protective factors, will be able to increase the emotional strength of the individual as well as the medical support to be given in the treatment processes. • It is expected that there will be economic contractions in the world. It is important to create a culture of solidarity in the society in the fight against economic difficulties.