Adults, COVID, and Friendships

There has been much press about the rise of depression and anxiety among youth, as well as speculation about their heightened sense of isolation still present in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s onslaught. There seems to be less commentary on the social psychological effects of the pandemic on adults.

As we begin to gather together more frequently now in person, we find ourselves discussing how face-to-face interaction seems different now somehow. We share feelings about others who seem a little more distant in interpersonal activities.

There is an emerging research inquiry into the effects of the height of the pandemic on the welfare of the adult population. Post March 2020, the lives of many adults were radically changed at the same time as those of youths in school. White collar workers radically increased their time at home, using internet-assisted platforms to keep the workflow going. However, many front-line adult workers continued face-to-face duties. Some of these were caregivers necessary to the reaction to the pandemic. Others’ work demanded presence at a worksite.

It appears there is a bit of a social science literature that is seeking insights into the effects of COVID on adults. Some of these are small scale reports on clinical settings. Others are self-reports using national surveys. Many are looking at the effects on friends’ networks.

In a mid-2021 survey about half the respondents reported losing touch with at least a few friends in the last 12 months (mid-2020 to mid-2021), with women reporting this more than men. Making at least one new friend in the last 12 months, however, is reported at about the same rate (46%) but this is more a report of younger persons than older persons.

In 1990, about one-quarter of the adults (27%) report having three or fewer friends; the 2021 survey has about half (49%) reporting three or fewer friends. As one might expect, the larger the number of friends the higher the tendency, in another question, to report higher life satisfaction.

Many white-collar workers spent their work time at home, and thus spent more time with their family members than with co-workers. In 1990 a Gallup survey found that about a quarter of adults, when facing a personal problem, turned to a friend first; in the 2021 survey from IPSOS, only 16 percent reported turning to a friend.

In a 2022 study of persons 50 and older, there’s more evidence that the strength of ties with family increased during COVID but those with friends were weakened. The same study found a strong desire to reconnect. An Australian study between 2020 and 2021 of younger persons had the same result – perceived stronger ties with family, weaker ties with friends.

Other studies paint a similar picture, albeit with different measures. What’s the takeaway lesson? The social support that arises from friends’ networks is dependent on communication within the network. The pandemic tended to increase family interaction but seems to have weakened friends’ interaction.

Some of the same surveys that report weakened friendship ties also report a thirst for refreshing those networks.

It seems like a good idea.