THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON FORMING NEW RELATIONSHIPS: IMPLICATIONS FOR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, THEORY OF MIND, EMPATHY AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Authors

  • Jakub Helvich Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2787-0757 (unauthenticated)
  • Jan Kopecky Institute of Social Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
  • Denisa Makalova Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
  • Lukas Novak Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacky University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7582-2098 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37708/psyct.v17i2.913

Keywords:

emotional intelligence, Theory of Mind, empathy, interpersonal relationships, online communication

Abstract

As a fallout of the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world was put into isolation. During this period, social media saw a record influx of users who used the technology to stay connected. However, the long-lasting effects of the pandemic on interpersonal relationships and mental health remain a burning topic. Thus, the study aims to examine how the pandemic affected our ability to build new interpersonal relationships in connection to aspects of emotional intelligence such as empathy and Theory of Mind (ToM). Furthermore, the study also examines how the use of social media for communication changed after the pandemic. In total, N = 464 subjects (Age: M = 27.07; 47%, F = 25,9; 53%) participated in the study. Empathy, ToM, social media use for communication before and after the pandemic, and the ability to form new relationships before and after the pandemic were assessed. A compelling finding of the study indicates a statistically significant positive relationship between empathy and the ability to form new relationships before and after the pandemic, suggesting that empathy outweighs both emotional intelligence and social media usage in building new relationships. However, no significant relation was found between ToM and the ability to form new relationships before and after the pandemic. Lastly, no relation was found between ToM, empathy, and the use of social media for communication before and after the pandemic. Future studies should examine how the pandemic may have affected other facets of relationship formation and social interaction dynamics in connection with other aspects of emotional intelligence that have not been covered.

Author Biographies

  • Jakub Helvich, Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

    Jakub Helvich is a PhD student at the Department of Applied Cybernetics, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic and a lecturer at the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové. His work focuses on using digital gamification in English language learning and teaching. He is also doing research in the field of cyberpsychology.

  • Jan Kopecky, Institute of Social Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
    Jan Kopecky is a recent Master's degree graduate from the Department of Institute of Social Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Králové. His research focused on the relationship between the concept of emotional intelligence and the use of social media.
  • Denisa Makalova, Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
    Denisa Makalova is a Bachelor's degree graduate from the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Králové. Her current research deals with Ukrainian "labour" migration and the Czech labour market its limits and possibilities of application.
  • Lukas Novak, Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacky University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic

    Lukas Novak is a PhD student at Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic, and a lecturer at the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové. In his work, he specializes in psychology and psychometrics.

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Published

2024-10-31

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Research Articles

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