IPCD 2021: Connectedness in a

Post-COVID World 

Being connected with others is one of the most crucial aspects of human life. Social networks fulfill the need to belong, be accepted, and be recognized. Meaningful interactions with others can have significant psychological implications on well-being, emotions and physical health. The role of supportive relationships is an important aspect of how we define ourselves in contexts such as family, friends, school, community and the workplace.
Changes in connections due to physical distancing during the pandemic created both expected and unexpected impacts on health outcomes, with potentially long-lasting effects. Therefore, IPCD’s 2021 theme will be dedicated to connectedness, and the role that psychological science can play in both understanding the challenges associated with physical and/or social isolation, and in promoting resilience by acknowledging that both the quality and quantity of one’s relationships can buffer against negative health outcomes.