Resilience Report

What is the project about?

This research aims to investigate the changes in the resilience of individuals in a post-COVID-19 context since individuals can partake in communal activities. Individuals participating in communal activities such as choir may have access to experiences or resources which may impact their overall mental health and resilience.

This research will explore:

1. The levels of personal and social competence that individuals who participate in choir possess 
2. The overall mental wellbeing of individuals (through anxiety and depression levels) who engage in a choir 
3. Whether individuals who participate in a choir have better mental wellbeing and resilience compared to others 
4. The levels of resilience within individuals who participate in choir and possess high personal and social competence 

Who is undertaking the project?

This project will be executed by the Resilience Centre in collaboration with Macquarie University as a follow-up study on previous research undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prominent individuals engaged in the current research are Lyn Worsley, the Director of the Resilience Centre; and Jacqui Van de Velde Research and Analytics Coordinator. This project will also utilise a measure created by The Resilience Centre (the Resilience Report) as one of the main instruments to measure resilience.

What will I be asked to do?

Participants will be asked to complete three questionnaires in one sitting. The total time taken will be 30 minutes. The three questionnaires include The Resilience Doughnut (RD), The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) and the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA). The resilience scale has statements such as “I have self-discipline” “my life has meaning” with a 7-point scale and the DASS has statements such as “I find it hard to wind down” and “I feel I have nothing to look forward to” with a 4-point scale. The Resilience Doughnut tool consists of your response to positive statements about family, friends, work and personal strengths.

What are the benefits of the research project?

The current study will assess any potential benefits of participating in a choir on an individual's resilience as well as on their social and personal competence. It is hoped the study will evaluate what enables participants to strengthen their existing connections and enhance their emotional and mental wellbeing. While the report results or the research project participation is not intended to have a therapeutic purpose, talking about your participation in the study is encouraged, particularly as it builds awareness of the importance of connecting with others.

Will I be able to find out the results of this project?

A summary of the current study's findings and data will be made available upon completion of our data analyses. Participants who were involved in the research project may expect to receive feedback in late 2023