Personality Changes During the Pandemic: What the Research Reveals

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Lead to Changes in Our Personality Traits?

Introduction

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic was a period of unprecedented stress, isolation, and uncertainty. Beyond its immediate impact on physical health, there is increasing evidence that the pandemic may have influenced our psychological makeup in profound ways. A growing body of research suggests that the pandemic has had a tangible effect on personality traits, particularly among younger individuals. Traditionally, personality traits are considered relatively stable throughout adulthood, but global events like the COVID-19 pandemic may have challenged this notion. This article explores the potential shifts in our personality traits during the pandemic, the psychological mechanisms behind these changes, and what they might mean for future mental health.

Personality Traits and Their Stability

Personality traits, as defined by the widely-used Five-Factor Model of Personality, include five broad dimensions:

1. Extraversion: The tendency to be outgoing, energetic, and assertive.
2. Neuroticism: A tendency towards negative emotions, such as anxiety and pessimism.
3. Conscientiousness: The propensity for self-discipline, organization, and dependability.
4. Agreeableness: The inclination to be compassionate, cooperative, and trusting.
5. Openness: The degree of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and open-mindedness.

These traits are often regarded as stable throughout an individual’s life, with only slight shifts due to aging. For instance, people tend to become more agreeable and conscientious over time, while neuroticism and extraversion may gradually decrease. However, stressful events, especially those that are personal or traumatic, can influence these traits temporarily. The COVID-19 pandemic, unlike isolated natural disasters, was a prolonged global event that disrupted all aspects of life. Researchers have begun to examine whether it could have led to more enduring changes in our core personality traits.

The Impact of the Pandemic: A Shift in Neuroticism

During the early phase of the pandemic in 2020, studies showed a surprising decline in neuroticism, especially among individuals who typically experienced high levels of anxiety. This decline was thought to be a result of a “shared trauma” effect, where the collective experience of the pandemic may have temporarily reduced personal worries, as people focused on larger global concerns. However, as the pandemic stretched into 2021 and 2022, this initial decline in neuroticism was not sustained. By the adaptation phase of the pandemic, levels of neuroticism had returned to pre-pandemic norms, indicating that the initial changes were temporary.

The Return of Anxiety

Interestingly, while older adults showed a sustained decrease in neuroticism, younger individuals under the age of 30 experienced a significant rebound, showing even higher levels of anxiety and pessimism in 2021-2022 compared to before the pandemic. This suggests that the psychological resilience of older adults, developed through life experience, may have buffered them against the long-term stress of the pandemic. In contrast, younger adults, who are still undergoing personality development and maturation, appeared more vulnerable to the prolonged stress and uncertainty.

Declines in Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness

While the decrease in neuroticism was temporary, other personality traits such as extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness showed more lasting changes during the pandemic’s later stages:

• Extraversion: The need for social interaction and energy from others declined, as lockdowns and social distancing limited opportunities for face-to-face communication. People became more reserved and introspective.
• Conscientiousness: With the disruption of daily routines and the blurring of boundaries between work and home life, many individuals found it harder to stay organized and disciplined. The stress of balancing multiple responsibilities at home likely contributed to this decline.
• Agreeableness: Prolonged stress and uncertainty can make people less tolerant and more irritable. The strain of managing pandemic-related fears and frustrations may have reduced levels of empathy and cooperation.

Younger Adults: A Critical Vulnerable Group

The impact of the pandemic on personality traits was most pronounced among younger adults. Typically, young adulthood is a period of personality consolidation, where individuals develop traits that set the foundation for future personal and professional success. The disruption caused by the pandemic, including changes in education, employment, and social life, may have hindered this natural maturation process, leading to noticeable shifts in personality traits.

The Role of the Five-Factor Model in Pandemic Research

The Five-Factor Model of Personality has been a crucial tool in understanding how personality traits shifted during the pandemic. Unlike natural disasters, which affect a specific region for a limited time, the COVID-19 pandemic had a prolonged, global impact, affecting people from all walks of life. Previous research on events like earthquakes and hurricanes showed little to no change in personality traits, suggesting that the unique nature of the pandemic—its global scale and extended duration—was a key factor in these observed changes.

Neuroticism in Older vs. Younger Adults

The decline in neuroticism was most prominent among older adults, who may have drawn on their life experience to cope with the pandemic’s challenges. In contrast, younger adults, who were still in the process of personality development, exhibited a sharp increase in neuroticism as the pandemic dragged on. This suggests a potential disruption in the typical personality maturation process, with long-term implications for mental health.

Potential Long-term Implications

The pandemic’s impact on personality traits could have significant long-term consequences, especially for younger adults who are at a critical stage of personality development. Traits like conscientiousness and agreeableness are strongly linked to positive life outcomes, including academic success, career advancement, and healthy relationships. A sustained decline in these traits could affect an entire generation’s ability to thrive personally and professionally.

Personality Traits and Mental Health

The changes in personality traits observed during the pandemic may also have implications for mental health. Higher levels of neuroticism and lower levels of conscientiousness are associated with increased risks of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. As such, the shifts in personality traits could lead to a rise in mental health issues, particularly among younger individuals.

The Pandemic’s Unique Stressors

The COVID-19 pandemic differed from other collective stressful events in several ways:

• Duration: The prolonged nature of the pandemic, with waves of infections and varying lockdowns, created a sustained source of stress.
• Global Impact: Unlike localized natural disasters, the pandemic affected individuals worldwide, leading to a shared experience of uncertainty and disruption.
• Social Isolation: Social distancing measures and lockdowns reduced opportunities for face-to-face interactions, which are vital for maintaining social connections and mental health.

Research Findings: COVID-19 Pandemic and Changes in Personality Traits

A recent study explored whether the COVID-19 pandemic, a major global stressor, impacted core personality traits, which are typically stable throughout adulthood. Using data from a longitudinal study conducted across 13 waves (March 2020 - December 2021), researchers assessed 504 U.S. participants using the Big Five Inventory, measuring traits like conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness.

Findings revealed that the majority (88-97%) of individuals showed no significant personality changes during the pandemic. However, at a group level, slight trends were observed: conscientiousness generally increased, while extraversion decreased. These changes were linked to shifts in social behaviors, like increased adherence to protective measures.

The study suggests that while personality traits remained largely stable, the unique stressors of the pandemic may have caused subtle, temporary shifts in certain characteristics, particularly related to social interactions and adaptability.

Limitations of the Research

While the findings are intriguing, they are not without limitations. The study relied on self-reported data, which can be influenced by personal biases. Additionally, the sample was limited to individuals in the United States, and the results may not be generalizable to other populations. More research is needed to understand the long-term impact of the pandemic on personality traits and to determine whether these changes are temporary or permanent.

Conclusion: A New Perspective on Personality

The COVID-19 pandemic has given researchers a rare opportunity to examine how a global event can influence personality traits across different age groups. While personality is generally considered stable, the pandemic’s unique stressors appear to have led to measurable shifts, particularly among younger adults. These changes could have lasting implications for mental health and well-being, highlighting the need for continued research and support as the world recovers from the pandemic’s effects.