Growing up and starting young adult life in a global pandemic continues to test Gen Z's mindset and outlook on life. Building resilience in Gen Z will help them to bounce back and grow forward to successfully define their new normal post-pandemic life.
"The human capacity for burden is like bamboo – far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance."
Jodi Picoult
If you read my articles Raising Generation Z and Engaging and Encouraging Generation Z, you will learn that I am an avid advocate of Gen Z and a mother of 2 Gen Zs who are just entering the workforce.
While all of our lives have been disrupted and augmented by the pandemic over the past 3 years, the younger generations may have been the most impacted. Formative years for children, youth and young adults have been disrupted in ways that have impacted their fundamental development behaviourally, cognitively and emotionally.
My older son started university in Canada in 2018 and was able to have two years of traditional milestone experiences. He established connections with professors and classmates. And enjoyed building his community and network in the new city and country where he was studying. He gained confidence and independence in his new adult phase of life.
When the pandemic hit with lockdowns, restrictions and virtual classes my older son had at least a normal university experience as a base reference. He had also established his community and connections to reach out to for support and friendship.
For my younger son, the experience was quite different.
His graduating year in high school was spent in masks, socially distanced and with hybrid classes. He was lucky enough to have a high school graduation ceremony where all students and parents alike sat in socially distanced taped-off squares. There was no graduation dance or parties as they were not permitted by Hong Kong Covid-19 mandates at the time.
Sending my younger son off to Canada to attend college in the fall of 2020 was full of uncertainty and trepidation. Schools were trying to figure out how to cope with the 4th wave of Covid-19, but my son wanted to proceed instead of deferring a semester.
After only one month of in-person classes, just as his cohort was establishing connections with their collage, professors and each other, everything went online for a year and a half to follow. This was extra challenging for my younger son as he is studying culinary arts and management as his major.
For my younger son, the first 2 years of his entry to adulthood and college life have been full of uncertainty, frustration, isolation and anxiety. In his 3rd year of college, he was finally able to re-establish connections and begin to really build his community when in-person classes resumed. But he and his cohort are still healing from the uncertainty and anxiety that pandemic life trauma has imprinted on them.
Most of the world is struggling with the same post-pandemic trauma, but for children, youth and young adults, not being able to experience fundamental life development stages will have a long-lasting impact.
A study conducted to understand the mental health of Gen Z in September 2022 revealed the state of their mental health and their outlook for their future.
Source: State of Gen Z Mental Health - harmonyhit.com
When adults face adversity, we have life experience as a reference to help us acknowledge, process and cope with life's challenges. What happens when fundamental socializing and self-awareness skills have not been fully developed yet? How can Gen Z find their way to begin their young lives with confidence or at least the ability to cope with their anxieties?
Building resilience in Gen Z can help them to bounce back and grow forward successfully to define their new normal post-pandemic life.
As defined by the American Psychological Association (APA):
"Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioural flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands."
Pediatrician Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg specializes in building resilience in children and youth. In his book Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings he shares his 7 C’s model, a practical approach to building resilience that can be helpful for all of us.
Here is an overview of what the 7 Cs are and how they can be applied to help Gen Z build resilience.
1. Competence
Competence is the ability to handle situations effectively. We can build competence by recognizing strengths, making decisions and learning from mistakes as opportunities.
Gen Z can build their competencies by:
Identifying their strengths and how to enhance them.
Make decisions and be accountable for them.
When encountering challenges and mistakes, know it's a normal part of life.
Learn from challenges and mistakes and turn them into opportunities for improvement.
2. Confidence
Confidence is the solid belief in one’s own abilities. It is built through achieving goals, achievements and internal and external recognition
Gen Z can build confidence through:
Recognizing your achievements and asking for specific feedback.
Set goals big and small and try to stretch your abilities without overwhelming yourself.
Use positive self-talk and praise yourself for your achievements and progress.
Parents, friends and mentors can help to build Gen Z confidence by recognizing and praising specific actions and behaviours that result in progress and achievements. Also recognize instances of character such as kindness, integrity, persistence and courage.
3. Connection
Connection is a sense of belonging and connection that provides individuals with a feeling of community and support.
Gen Z can strengthen their ability to connect by:
Developing effective communication skills including empathic listening.
Develop healthy methods of expressing emotion and dealing with conflict.
Spending quality time with friends and family.
Expanding your circle of friends through extracurricular activities, hobbies and interest groups.
4. Character
Character is awareness of the difference between right and wrong based on morals and values.
Gen Z can develop their character by:
Being aware of how their actions impact others.
Reflect and identify the values that are important to you and live by them in your decisions and actions.
Observe role models and learn from their actions and behaviours.
5. Contribution
Contribution is offering something to others and discovering self-value and purpose in return.
Gen Z can foster a sense of contribution by:
Being aware and grateful for what they have in their lives that others may not.
Find opportunities to volunteer and give help to others.
Learn from role models on how to be generous with time, energy and resources.
Develop their sense of responsibility and commitment through contribution and making a difference through their values and actions.
6. Coping
Coping is navigating, eliminating, or overcoming difficult challenges and emotionally stressful situations in a healthy way.
Gen Z can grow their coping abilities by:
Taking proactive step-by-step problem-solving vs emotionally reactive behaviour when dealing with challenges and difficulties.
Finding healthy ways of dealing with stress and self-care such as exercise, nutrition, self-compassion and getting adequate rest.
Recognize that it's not the end of the world in times of difficulty and it's okay to ask for help when needed.
7. Control
Control is the sense of being able to influence outcomes with decisions and actions.
Gen Z can build confidence in their ability to take control by:
Find opportunities to make independent decisions and take ownership.
Use critical thinking skills and reflect on progress, successes and opportunities.
Focus on what you can control instead of things that are out of your control.
Family, friends and mentors can help Gen Z by giving them opportunities to make independent decisions and recognizing and encouraging them to take more ownership.
Gen Z Will Navigate the Future Resiliently
“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”
Robert Jordan
The good news is that Generation Z is more open to talking about their mental health needs than other generations. We need to be open to helping them.
Source: State of Gen Z Mental Health - harmonyhit.com
Gen Z has experienced more anxiety entering adulthood due to the extraordinary circumstances of the past 3 pandemic years. They have the opportunity to gain strength from adversity and use their lessons learned to build for success in their futures.
As a proud mom of my Gen Z sons and as an advocate for all Gen Zs finding their way in the world, I have faith that this generation will be resilient and will successfully define their new normal.
Additional helpful articles:
Are Gen Z the Most Stressed Generation in the Workplace - Online Article - bbc.com
How is Gen Z Changing the Workplace? - Online Article - zurich.com
Developing Resilience: Overcoming and Growing From Setbacks - Online Article - mindtools.com
I would love to hear your comments!
What do you think Gen Z can do to build their resilience?
How can you help the Gen Zs in your life to be more resilient?
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