Email this article Fostering resilience in the context of a pandemic: A community-based exploration of the psychosocial dimensions of deprivation in Sakubva, Mutare district, Zimbabwe
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing socio-economic and psychosocial vulnerabilities in many marginalised urban communities across the Global South. This study explored the psychosocial dimensions of deprivation and community resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sakubva, a high-density suburb in Mutare District, Zimbabwe. Guided by the deprivation trap framework and resilience theory, the study adopted a community-based qualitative research design. Data were generated through focus group discussions with 30 community members, semi-structured interviews with 13 community residents, and key informant interviews with 7 local stakeholders. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Findings revealed that the pandemic intensified interconnected forms of deprivation, including psychological distress, economic insecurity, social exclusion, and reduced access to basic services. Despite these challenges, community members demonstrated resilience through social networks, informal coping strategies, and collective problem-solving. However, structural constraints and unequal access to support limited the effectiveness and inclusivity of resilience-building initiatives. The study highlights the importance of contextually grounded, community-driven psychosocial interventions that address both structural deprivation and local resilience capacities. The findings contribute to community psychology by illustrating how resilience processes operate within conditions of chronic deprivation during public health crises.
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