Researching the effects of social isolation

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“We want to find ways to help employees cope with this unexpected shift. How do we best support workers in such a complex and dire situation?”

Tyler Pacheco, Graduate Student

Researching the effects of social isolation

While social distancing measures are helping minimize the spread of COVID-19, researchers are interested in the effects of these measures on Canadian workers’ mental well-being.

Simon Coulombe, assistant professor of psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University is leading a team of researchers, who will observe how shifts in work arrangements, personal relationships, and living dynamics have impacted their mental health and well-being.

In collaboration with two professors at the Université du Québec à Montréal and Tyler Pacheco, grad student in Laurier’s psychology program, they will sample 700 Canadians working at least 20 hours a week, who will be surveyed at different catch points to inform their findings.

The researchers are also conducting a social network analysis to study how online behaviours may change in relation to reduced opportunities for face-to-face interaction.

To learn more, visit Wilfrid Laurier University.