12 Apr Learning Environments and Introversion: Mental Health Consequences for Youth

Asking if a person is an introvert or an extrovert might be a great icebreaker. There is, however, considerable psychology behind these personality types and how they influence mental health. Psychologists and educators must consider introverted characteristics when treating and educating youth in this group.

Personality traits of being introverted versus extroverted are among the oldest explored in personality theories. Myers-Briggs defines introverts as gaining “energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions in their minds.” Introverts often prefer doing things alone or with a small group of confidants. Introverts tend to be more reflective and must consider how to respond to situations before acting. This characteristic means that introverted children benefit from time to think about how to cope with problems and emotions.

The Center for Parenting Education identifies that introverted children commonly display the following traits:

• Prefer one-on-one communication
• Need time to think before answering a question
• Prefer not to share their emotions
• Learn better by observing
• Are quiet in large social gatherings
• Prefer watching an activity before choosing to join in
• Are highly self-aware

American Culture and Introverted Youth

Research published in 2019 in Advances in Language and Literary Studies found that personality traits such as being introverted or extroverted traits influence motivation and learning ability. The researchers concluded introverted learners seem more motivated when working alone, and extroverted learners are better when working in a team. Extroverted learners prefer working with others and communicating ideas back and forth. Social and learning activities that benefit them include problem-solving with others and group projects. On the other hand, introverts like to brainstorm internally, thinking out a problem before moving forward. Their personality and learning style can make it difficult for them to excel when assigned to work within a group.

The educational system in America can set introverted children at a disadvantage in the classroom. Teachers who do not understand the impact of introverted traits may inadvertently see these youth as unwilling to participate or not applying themselves to the learning. Group activities and classroom discussions set learning inequalities for students with these personality traits. Feedback to the student and their parents may be that they have flaws in their personality or dedication to their learning.

Socially, introverted youth can feel rejected and isolated from their peers. There is pressure in American culture to conform to extroverted traits. Introverts are often miscategorized as shy. However, they need social interactions just as much as more socially outgoing individuals. Introverts take their time to open up in relationships and prefer smaller social settings with just a few people they know well.

Mental Health Consequences of Introverted Personality Traits

Research in the 2020 journal, Frontiers in Psychology reported on the correlation between introversion and low social engagement having an adverse impact on self-esteem. Lower self-esteem in the classroom impacts learning, motivation, and overall well-being. The researchers recommended that the study’s findings highlight the importance of identifying, understanding, and accepting different personalities at school. When educators have insight into their student’s personality traits, they can better accommodate that student’s learning styles and adjust the classroom experience to fit their needs better.

A study in 2001 in the Current Psychiatry Reports journal found a positive correlation between depression and introversion, partly due to a greater sensitivity to emotion. Additional research published in 2017 found a correlation between lower extroversion and higher suicidal behavior.

While the available research between introversion and higher rates of mental health consequences for youth is not causal, there are valuable lessons for school psychologists and educators. Creating a learning and social environment in schools that supports introverted personalities will promote greater self-esteem, motivation to learn, and improve self-acceptance in students with introverted personalities. American culture values extroversion, promoting a misconception that more extroverted people have greater success in their careers and social lives, inadvertently telling introverted youth that they are flawed. Promoting learning environments that support all personality types can potentially reduce risks of increased depression and suicidal behavior for youth outside the cultural preferences towards extroversion.