Recording: The Paradox of Solitude: Exploring the Costs & Benefits of Being Alone with Professor Robert Coplan

In the time of COVID, many have been thrust into experiencing unwanted solitude, or confined to home environments where, for various reasons, it is almost impossible to find a moment alone. Never has it been more important to consider the causes and consequences of solitude for our well-being and mental health. In this session, Professor Coplan explores the concept of solitude from a psychological perspective, with a particular focus on the ongoing debate of the costs and benefits of spending time alone.

About the Researcher: Robert Coplan is a Professor in the Department of Psychology. His general research interests are in the areas of children’s socio-emotional functioning and developmental psychopathology. He is particularly interested in the development of social withdrawal and social anxiety. His most recent research projects have focused on: (1) the costs and benefits of solitude in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood; (2) the challenges faced by shy and anxious children at school; and (3) the meaning and implications of social withdrawal across different cultures.

This session is part of the Healthy Workplace Mental Health Speaker Series 2020/2021. Find out more.