Assessment of resilience in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A snapshot of experiences of adolescents secondary school children in southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has created much psychological burden on the adolescent child. Resilience is an intertwine of risk and protective factors that may help the adolescent child in growth and development. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the factors that influence resilience among adolescents attending secondary schools in southeast Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 496 adolescent students who attend six secondary schools in Enugu city. Results: The majority of the respondents, 79.4%, feel safe when they are with their families. A high proportion of the respondents, 61.5%, were resilient. A comparable proportions of male (59.9%) and female (62.9%) respondents were resilient. (χ2=0.476, P = 0.490). A significantly higher proportion of respondents who were in junior secondary three class, 70.5%, were resilient when compared with those in senior secondary three class, 59.4% (χ2=4.050, P = 0.044). The highest proportion of respondents who had strong social support, 75.8%, were resilient, whereas those who had poor social support were the least, 36.6%. The observed difference was statistically significant (χ2=39.995, P < 0.001). The respondents who had poor social support were about six times less likely to be resilient when compared with those who had strong social support [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.177, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.099–0.317]. Also, the respondents who had moderate social support were about three times less likely to be resilient when compared with those who had strong social support (AOR=0.369, 95%CI: 0.261–0.601). Conclusion: Resilience in adolescents is enhanced by education, being in junior secondary class, good family structure, and strong social support.