Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Report
What is it Like to Be an Extrovert During Covid-19 Lockdown?
Module Leader: Dr. Jamie Churchyard
Student ID: 21455334
Word Count: 2747
, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Report
What is it Like to Be an Extrovert During Covid-19 Lockdown?
Abstract:
An association between personality traits and well-being has already been accessed (Otonari et al., 2012). However, the
Covid-19 Lockdown may limit this association. The present research applied an Interpretative Phenomenological
Analysis (IPA) to understand the experience of being in lockdown. Specifically, to answer the question: What is it like
to be an extrovert during the Covid-19 lockdown? Previous research has acknowledged the association between high
levels of extroversion and low-stress levels (Jackson and Schneider, 2014; Schneider et al., 2012 as cited in Liu et al.,
2021), yet recent studies showed that isolation can strongly affect extroverts’ daily life, including their mental health
(Brooks and Moser, 2020 as cited in Liu, et al., 2021). The data of this study were collected from two participants using
Semi-Structured Interviews (SSI). The interviews were analysed, and the emerged themes were grouped into the
following theme clusters: Views Towards Socialization Deprivation, The Period of Isolation, Engagement in Behavioral
Changes and Lockdown Adaptations and Post-Lockdown Life. The findings suggest that being an extrovert during
lockdown can be a very difficult and distressing experience. Being isolated and deprived of close social interactions
fails to fulfil extroverts social needs, impacting their mental health. However, it was found that this experience can be
improved through new kinds of socialization, with a focus on technology and the participants’ family environment
during the lockdown.
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, Introduction:
The correlation between wellbeing and personality has been a topic of interest for a long time, and extroversion is one
of the personality dimensions that have been studied more intensively (Otonari et al., 2012). The World Health
Organization declared the SARS-CoV-2 disease (Covid-19) a pandemic on March 11, 2020. As a consequence, many
countries advised their citizens to contribute to social distancing and isolate. Similar to previous pandemics, the COVID-
19 had a harmful impact on mental health (Bao et al., 2020 as cited in Liu et al., 2021). Wang et al., (2020), found that,
during the pandemic, 8.1% of the general Chinese population, about 112 million people, reported moderate to severe
stress levels (Wang et al., 2020 as cited in Liu et al., 2021). Persistent stress is linked with mental illness, mortality and
poorer quality of life (Liu et al., 2021). Did this drastic change distorted individuals' sense of social connection? The
response can be focused on people’s personality traits. Specifically, extroverts and introverts display distinct views
about socialization, indicating that the impact of physical isolation may differ depending on extraversion levels (Smillie,
Kern, & Uljarevic, 2019; Zelenski, Sobocko, & Whelan, 2014 as cited in Folk, et al., 2020 ).
The predisposition to be outgoing, outspoken, optimistic, confident, sociable and with a greater activity level can define
extraversion, which is usually associated with low stress-levels (Liu et al., 2021). Interpersonal connectedness is an
essential mediator clarifying the connection between extraversion and general well-being (Lee et al., 2008).
Nonetheless, given the COVID-19 safety measures and physical distancing, the notion that low-stress levels are linked
to extraversion may have limitations (Brooks and Moser, 2020 as cited in Liu, et al., 2021). Extroverts, especially the
most active, might not be as efficient in managing their environment once the social component is eliminated; therefore,
suffering from higher levels of distress (Abbott et al., 2008). This theory is portrayed in news articles emphasizing that
the pandemic lockdown may be the “golden age for introverts” (Brooks and Moser, 2020 as cited in Liu, et al., 2021).
According to Sandstrom and Dunn (2014), adults in Canada have, on average, seventeen in-person interactions daily,
and display lower feelings of acceptance and belonging when having a smaller number of interactions than normal
(Sandstrom & Dunn, 2014). If social isolation decreases close interactions, then thoughts of social connection could
also be anticipated to decrease during the lockdown. Although shared trauma can theoretically bring people together
(Cohn, Mehl, & Pennebaker, 2004; Pennebaker & Harber, 1993 as cited in Folk, et al., 2020), social restrictions can
turn it extra challenging to act on the desire to connect with others. Extraverts pursue chances to engage with others
and social stimulation (De Raad, 2000). Thus, the lockdown period during the pandemic may have impeded the ability
of extroverts to fulfil their social needs, consequently, leading to higher levels of distress and behavioural changes when
compared with introverts and individuals with lower extroversion. Furthermore, the greater stress encountered by
extroverts can also stem from a deficiency of cognitive appraisal abilities required to manage their emotions, and/or
external regulations of distress (Kolinski et al., 2020). The recent study conducted by Liu et al., (2021) provided evidence
that extroverts, reported higher levels of distress during the Covid-19 lockdown (Liu et al., 2021).
Given this information, it can be assumed that the lockdown period may have had a different impact on extrovert
individuals when compared with its impact on the general population. Previously published studies on the theme are
limited as researchers have not dealt with this exact situation before. This indicates a need to understand the various
perceptions of Lockdown that exist among different personality types. Thereby is crucial to understand the negative
effect of the social limitations regarding extroverts’ mental health, so the support given to these individuals can be
personalized accordingly to their needs. This prospective study was designed to investigate and understand how the
lockdown period made extroverts engage in behavioural changes, and what are the consequences of the prolonged period
of isolation while answering the question: What is it like to be an extrovert during COVID-19 lockdown?
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