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Not everyone struggled equally during COVID — and your personality may explain why. A new USC-led study found that people high in neuroticism experienced significantly greater and longer-lasting mental distress during the pandemic. The findings could help clinicians and public health officials better target support and craft less anxiety-inducing crisis messaging.
Not everyone weathered the COVID-19 pandemic the same way mentally — and a new study suggests your personality traits may be a big reason why. Researchers from the University of Southern California analyzed data from over 4,000 US adults collected between 2019 and early 2024, finding that those with high levels of neuroticism — a trait marked by worry, emotional sensitivity, and strong stress reactions — suffered greater and more persistent mental distress throughout and even after the pandemic's emergency phase.
The study, published in PLOS One, examined the "Big Five" personality traits and their relationship to depression and anxiety scores. Neuroticism stood out as the dominant factor, while the other four traits showed weaker or inconsistent links to mental distress.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings give clinicians a clearer lens for identifying who may need extra support during public health crises. They also call on health communicators to craft messages that balance awareness with reassurance — helping high-neuroticism individuals take protective action without amplifying their anxiety.
