Purpose in Life Renewal for COVID-19 Survivors: A Feasibility Study

People who experienced COVID-19 may have purpose disruption, which is important to health and wellbeing. This study examined three dimensions of the feasibility of a purpose renewal intervention (Compass Course): acceptability, implementability, and preliminary efficacy. This study used a prospective pretest–posttest design with people who experienced COVID-19. Intervention consisted of 8-group sessions ( n = 27). Standardized measures of meaning and purpose at pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up were collected. The intervention was implemented as planned. Those who completed the sessions ( n = 16) reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention (median overall satisfaction rating of 9.5/10). Participants made statistically significant pre–post changes in two measures of purpose in life and one measure of post-traumatic growth, but not self-efficacy. Results suggest that implementation of the Compass Course was feasible and acceptable, and further studies related to purpose renewal for persons after COVID-19 are warranted.

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Publication Details

Journal
OTJR Occupational Therapy Journal of Research
Published
2026-07-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492261464079
Primary Topic
COVID-19 and Mental Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Purpose in Life Renewal for COVID-19 Survivors: A Feasibility Study

Sharon Gowdy Wagener, Mattie Anheluk, Sandra Castro‐Pearson, Joe Yunek et al.
OTJR Occupational Therapy Journal of Research
COVID-19 and Mental Health
article

Purpose in Life Renewal for COVID-19 Survivors: A Feasibility Study

Sharon Gowdy Wagener, Mattie Anheluk, Sandra Castro‐Pearson, Joe Yunek, Joette Zola, Kristina Kath, Kim Grabe, Mary Vining Radomski, Alisa Kocian, Libby Lindenfelser, Ginger Carroll, Jennifer Rademacher, Brie Somlai
article en

Abstract

People who experienced COVID-19 may have purpose disruption, which is important to health and wellbeing. This study examined three dimensions of the feasibility of a purpose renewal intervention (Compass Course): acceptability, implementability, and preliminary efficacy. This study used a prospective pretest–posttest design with people who experienced COVID-19. Intervention consisted of 8-group sessions ( n = 27). Standardized measures of meaning and purpose at pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up were collected. The intervention was implemented as planned. Those who completed the sessions ( n = 16) reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention (median overall satisfaction rating of 9.5/10). Participants made statistically significant pre–post changes in two measures of purpose in life and one measure of post-traumatic growth, but not self-efficacy. Results suggest that implementation of the Compass Course was feasible and acceptable, and further studies related to purpose renewal for persons after COVID-19 are warranted.

OTJR Occupational Therapy Journal of Research
Allina Health (US), Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (US), Brighton Hospital (US), Center for Neurorehabilitation Services (US), Minneapolis VA Medical Center (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
COVID-19 and Mental Health
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