Purpose as a Powerful Resource in the Time of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), has claimed thousands of lives within the past few months; disrupted people’s participation in work, family, and school settings; and challenged economic and health care syste...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of humanistic psychology Vol. 60; no. 5; pp. 682 - 689
Main Author White, Allison E.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2020
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects
Adversity
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Health care
Pandemics
Sense of purpose
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
COVID-19
purpose
adversity
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Summary:Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), has claimed thousands of lives within the past few months; disrupted people’s participation in work, family, and school settings; and challenged economic and health care systems across the globe. In light of the countless challenges posed by COVID-19, a sense of purpose (i.e., a long-term life aim that guides behavior and contributes to the world beyond oneself) may be one important psychological resource for people of all ages to develop and/or recruit during this crisis. This article provides a brief overview of the purpose development literature, the argument that a growing or solidified sense of purpose can serve as an important internal resource during periods of adversity, and recommendations for practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ISSN:0022-1678
1552-650X
DOI:10.1177/0022167820940464