ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between those considered introverted and those considered extroverted personality types, specifically looking at their emotional vulnerability during the time spent in the 2020 COVID-19 quarantine. The COVID-19 quarantine affected the entirety of the human race, not discriminating against gender, race, country of origin or personality types. While the quarantine spared no one, it is possible that it affected introverts and extroverts differently. This study addressed the varying approaches to the different personality types, looking into aspects that have a greater influence on a specific type of anxiety and positive mental health among introverts and extroverts. Previous studies have been conducted elaborating on overall differences between personality types, some as recent as to include the impact of COVID-19 amongst them. One study conducted by Larsen and Ketelaar (1991) found that those considered to have extroverted characteristics are able to find pleasure more easily in situations. Other studies have found that extroverts share a greater concern for humanity overall amidst the pandemic. Participants were recruited on a volunteer basis via different outlets of social media. They completed The Big 5 Personality Assessment, basic demographics, quarantine demographics, the Positive Mental Health Scale, and a short version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty scale. Using Pearson's correlation, the researcher was able to provide correlational data showing similarities across personality type, communication frequency, and risk of exposure. There was found to be a negative correlation between both introverts and extroverts within Intolerance of Uncertainty scores. Although both introverts and extroverts were significantly affected, introverts proved to have a stronger negative correlation. The findings from this study may inform therapeutic interventions, facilitating well-being by taking the influence of personality, specifically Introversion and Extroversion, into account.