Resilience of young adults in Korea: Navigating the impact of collective trauma and anxiety

Background Amidst increasing occurrences of disasters and traumatic events, there is growing concern about the declining mental health of young adults, who are facing rising societal pressures and uncertainty about their futures. Aims: This study investigates the interplay between collective trauma, anxiety, and resilience among young adults in the Korean context. Based on survey data collected in 2023 from 323 Korean young adults aged 18 to 34 years, a multiple linear regression and independent t -tests were used to examine their experiences of collective trauma, collective anxiety, and resilience, taking gender differences into account. Results Collective anxiety was associated with resilience, but collective trauma was not. Gender differences were observed: competition- and security-related anxiety, education, and income were positively associated with resilience only for men, while fairness-related anxiety was negatively associated only with women’s resilience. Adaptation-related anxiety was a significant factor for both groups. Discussion/Conclusion: Certain types of collective anxiety and socioeconomic status may act as protective factors against trauma. Gender should be considered when designing mental health assessments and services for young adults to address the unique needs and challenges in building resilience and managing anxiety.