Existential Dimensions of the Pandemic Crisis: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17627/ALKPSZICH.2025.3.65Keywords:
boundary situation, crisis, adaptive coping mechanisms, identity, values, meaning of life, IPAAbstract
Background and aims: Frankl (1997) already pointed out the importance of meaning in life in existential psychology. COVID-19 changed many people’s lives, from quarantine through the drastic changes at work to our social lives. These changes created a boundary situation (Jaspers, 1999) which can result in new values and identity changes. Finding meaning in life is a major factor during crisis, a boundary situation, since it leads to more adaptive coping mechanisms (Korkmaz & Güloğlu, 2021; Chao et al, 2020; Yu et al., 2020). Hennekam, Ladge & Powell (2021) found that the quarantine period made a positive impact in the participants’ career and family identity, meaning that a newly-defined identity could form while coping with a crisis.
In our qualitative research we explored the lived experience of the pandemic with half-structured interviews, focusing on the reevaluated priorities, the new identity forming, the adaptive coping mechanisms & meaning of life.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 10 participants about their experience during the pandemic, with a focus in major life changes (eg.: career, social life, values, identity), in addition to the adaptive coping mechanisms & factors that give meaning in life. The interviews were analized in a research group with IPA (interpretative-fenomenological analysis), the main themes were formed (crisis, coping, social connections, new identity, reevaluated priorities & meaning in life).
Results: Based on the IPA most of the persons went through self-development due to the boundary situation by COVID-19, which showed the existential psychological effects on meaning in life. Most participants mentioned the importance of social connections, support, career-changes, and reevaluated priorities which resulted in a new value system.
Discussion: Regarding a crisis from an existential psychological viewpoint, as a boundary situation, just like in previous research data it leads to a newly-defined identity and adaptive coping mechanisms. Living through the pandemic with all the difficulties also made people face their authentic selves. Social support, a healthier lifestyle and intrinsic values seem to be highly-adaptive copings during a crisis & as in previous results a boundary situation that can also lead to finding deeper meaning in life.
