Resilience: A shield against social dysfunction and comparison among unemployed young adults

The study explores how resilience cultivates emotional strength among unemployed young adults in India, offering insights into fostering strategies amid economic adversity. Using a mixed-method approach with 300 participants (aged 20–35), findings revealed resilience significantly reduces social dysfunction (19% variance explained) and enhances adaptive social comparisons (8% variance explained), underscoring its role in building psychological stability. Qualitative themes emphasized life skills critical for fostering sustainability: emotional strength through mindfulness and cognitive reframing, social unity via supportive networks, empowering young minds through growth-oriented mindsets, and adaptive decision-making by redefining success beyond traditional metrics. Participants leveraged selective social comparisons to maintain self-esteem, aligning with skills for success in navigating uncertainty. Strategies like motivational comparison and prioritizing supportive relationships reflect skills that foster resilience. The findings advocate for policies guiding sustainable growth by integrating psychosocial support with economic interventions. Culturally, India’s collectivist values—communal solidarity and familial bonds—emerged as pillars for thriving amid adversity. Programs promoting mindfulness, peer networks, and cognitive-behavioral techniques could empower youth to ignite critical thought and foster resilience to withstand social and psychological challenges. By bridging emotional well-being with societal cohesion, this research highlights pathways to cultivate strength and equip young adults with skills to navigate precarious futures, emphasizing holistic approaches that balance individual agency with collective support.