Pandemic negatively affects mental health of introverts, U of A study finds
CBC
Introverts may rejoice at cancelled plans and a lack of social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new study from the University of Alberta says the isolation might not be good for their mental health.
Anahita Shokrkon, a PhD student in the U of A's department of psychology, conducted the study in the summer of 2020 and found that higher extroversion was associated with better mental health.
Introversion, however, was associated with more mental health issues.
"Extroverts in general have better mental health. They are happier, they have more positive affect, and they can keep this positive outlook longer," Shokrkon told CBC's Edmonton AM on Monday.
Shokrkon also observed that introverts in the study were having a harder time connecting with people during the pandemic while extroverts were finding ways to connect with others.
"I consider myself an extrovert and during the winter in Edmonton, any kind of in-person interaction was nearly impossible," she said. "I had Zoom gatherings with my friends. We played online. And I think this was very important for my mental health during that time."
A self-proclaimed extreme extrovert, Shokrkon decided to look into the effects of the pandemic on introverts after comparing her own experience dealing with isolation with friends.