Neuroticism and Negative Emotional Reactions to COVID-19

Major health crises like COVID-19 have profound effects on psychological well-being; however, stressful events as such do not affect people equally. Individuals high in neuroticism have stronger negative affective reactions to stress, which puts them at greater risk for adverse outcomes. The current study elucidates how these individuals' choices, specifically selective exposure to negative information, during stressful events reinforce their negative affectivity. Using longitudinal data from a previous study conducted over six waves (2/17/20-12/17/20), I found that (a) neuroticism predicted higher negative affect, (b) negative emotion was highest after the first COVID-19 related death (in wave 3), and (c) higher negative affect predicted greater selective exposure to negative information. Thus, this study offers insight into the behavioral patterns associated with negative affectivity and has the potential to improve personality-informed interventions, subsequently preventing increases in mental health problems related to major health crises.National Science FoundationNo embargoAcademic Major: EnglishAcademic Major: Psycholog