Covid-19 pandemic linked to changes in personality traits
The Covid-19 pandemic not only reshaped global health systems but also left its mark on mental health and human behavior. A new study published in PLOS One reveals that the pandemic was associated with significant changes in personality traits, particularly among younger adults.
Personality traits, generally considered stable across adulthood, can shift in response to stressful life events. This study highlights how a global crisis like Covid-19 can disrupt personality development, especially in young adults navigating key phases of emotional and social growth.
Key findings of the study
Researchers examined data from more than 7,000 participants in the Understanding America Study (UAS), comparing pre-pandemic personality assessments with those during the acute phase (2020) and adaptation phase (2021–2022).
- Neuroticism declined during 2020 but returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2021–2022.
- Conscientiousness, agreeableness, extraversion, and openness all declined significantly during the adaptation phase.
- The shifts observed over just two years were similar in magnitude to changes typically seen across a decade of adulthood.
Younger adults most affected
The study revealed that people under 30 were more susceptible to personality changes. Younger adults showed higher neuroticism and larger declines in conscientiousness and agreeableness compared to middle-aged and older adults.
According to Dr. Angelina Sutin, professor at Florida State University and lead author of the study, these changes could have long-term consequences:
“The traits that changed most in younger adulthood – neuroticism and conscientiousness – are linked with outcomes such as career success, relationships, and mental and physical health. Even small shifts can accumulate to have significant impacts over time.”
Why it matters
These findings suggest that the pandemic disrupted the natural process of personality maturation, leaving younger generations potentially more vulnerable to mental health challenges. Experts warn this could affect resilience, emotional stability, and social well-being long after the pandemic has ended.
Dr. Brent Roberts, psychology professor at the University of Illinois, emphasized:
“It is significant to learn that a global event like Covid-19 can alter personality, a trait long thought to be stable. This has important implications for mental health outcomes in the future.”
The five-factor model of personality
The research was based on the widely recognized five-factor model, which includes:
- Extraversion – outgoing, energetic behavior
- Neuroticism – tendency toward anxiety and pessimism
- Conscientiousness – responsibility and self-discipline
- Agreeableness – empathy and trustworthiness
- Openness – curiosity and creativity
While normally stable, the study shows these traits can shift under prolonged global stress.
Study limitations and next steps
The authors caution that the findings were limited to participants in the United States, and results may differ across cultures. They also note that additional factors, such as political and economic upheavals, may have contributed to personality shifts. More research is needed to determine whether these changes are temporary or long-lasting.
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