Social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic: notes on possible impacts on the social skills of individuals and populations

Abstract

This paper aims to establish an initial basis for discussion about the possible impacts of social distancing policies resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on the social skills and social competence of individuals and groups and their likely consequences, considering the knowledge available in the theoretical-practical field of Social Skills (SS) and empirical research on the impact of the pandemic on mental health indicators. The relations between social distancing, social skills, and social competence were addressed, as well as the implications of this new context on the coexistence values shared between individuals, groups, and nations. Due to the scarcity of empirical studies on the subject, until the present date, this theoretical discussion intended to raise conceptual and research questions that can be addressed to future studies in the area.