CHARTING MENTAL RESILIENCE AMIDST VUCA CHALLENGES: INSIGHTS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ERA

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the implementation of ‘volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity' (VUCA) conditions, significantly affecting diverse life domains, including organizations, economies, education, culture, and health. This study analyzed VUCA's elements, benefits, and implications, particularly in pandemics. This study was conducted by a literature search in ProQuest and Google Scholar databases, focusing on articles about impact of VUCA on mental health during COVID-19 pandemic that were published in English and Indonesian during January 2020 -August 2023. Keywords used for literature search included "VUCA," "COVID-19" and "mental health". Out of 180 initially identified articles, 65 duplicates were removed, and the remaining 115 were screened based on VUCA's impact on mental health themes. Ultimately, 100 articles were excluded for various reasons, including lack of originality, published in languages other than English and Indonesian, insufficiently addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and did not directly address or contribute to the primary focus areas and objectives of our study. In this study, we used VUCA to describe complex changes and unpredictable disruptions happened to mental health during this pandemic. After an extensive screening process, 11 articles were deemed suitable for inclusion in the review. This review showed that the VUCA framework, encompassing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, has been particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. This period has witnessed widespread volatility, affecting diverse facets of life, from individual well-being to livelihoods. Uncertainty has permeated the global economy, compounding challenges, notably mental health. Complexity, often oversimplified by laypeople, underscores the intricate problems leaders face. Ambiguity, characterized by a lack of transparent cause-and-effect relationships, has defined the unprecedented and unpredictable nature of the pandemic. This unique situation demands innovative leadership approaches across various sectors. While the VUCA era has heightened global mental health challenges, particularly during the pandemic, technological advancements offer positive changes. Generations Y and Z, adept at leveraging technologies like IoT and digital health watches, demonstrate preventive health behaviors. This shift facilitates predictive treatment, empowering individuals to proactively identify and address potential health issues.