Post-earthquake resilience across generations: a CD-RISC-based empirical study

Purpose This study aims to examine the personal resilience of Generations Y and Z in the Jetis sub-district in Indonesia, a region affected by the 2006 earthquake. By analyzing resilience through generational characteristics, education levels, employment status and economic conditions, this study seeks to identify key challenges and opportunities for enhancing resilience among younger generations. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was used, drawing on data from 591 respondents using the 25-item Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to validate the resilience constructs. Additional contextual insights were derived from interviews, field observations and document analysis to support the interpretation of findings. Findings The findings reveal that Generations Y and Z in post-earthquake rural areas exhibit moderate to low levels of personal resilience, particularly in emotional regulation and future orientation, with Generation Y consistently demonstrating higher resilience than Generation Z. Education levels are constrained, with most respondents attaining junior secondary education as their highest qualification. Although digital technology use is widespread, it is predominantly for social interaction and rarely contributes to skills development or economic advancement. Economic vulnerability is significant, marked by high unemployment and informal employment, particularly among women. These intertwined challenges weaken the correlation between generational identity and resilience capacity. Originality/value This study uniquely explores the resilience of Generations Y and Z in a post-disaster rural setting, integrating generational theory with the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale to assess their adaptive capacity and socioeconomic challenges.