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COVID-19-related social distancing guidelines pose challenges that may be particularly distressing for those high in extroversion, who tend to experience greater happiness when in social situations (Costa & McCrae, 1980; Emmons & Diener, 1985). Our research sought to examine if extroversion was related to greater use of COVID-19-compliant, nontraditional social strategies (e.g. collective effervescent experiences, social surrogate use, and video-chatting) when social options were limited. We examined residents of New York State before the start of the pandemic, during the peak of the pandemic, and one year after the peak of the pandemic. Using a variety of analytical strategies, we found that extroversion was associated with greater use of nontraditional social strategies during the pandemic, and that use of some of these strategies partly explained a relationship between extroversion and maintaining happiness during the pandemic. Furthermore, extroversion was associated with greater use of some of these strategies only when traditional social opportunities were limited. These findings suggest that extroverts are likely to seek out and utilize unorthodox forms of connection to maintain wellbeing, particularly when other social options are unavailable. This work makes novel contributions to our understanding of extroversion and the flexibility of the need to belong. • Extroverts used more socially distanced social strategies during COVID-19. • More collective effervescent events predicted happiness during COVID-19. • Using parasocial relationships and narratives predicted happiness during COVID-19. • Using some social strategies mediated extroversion and happiness during COVID-19. • Extroverts used parasocial relationships and narratives more when social distancing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media use is an increasingly prevalent part of modern life and allows for a wide variety of ways to engage with others. The current research examines how chronic social goal orientations relate to social media use and to individuals' sense of connection with others while using social media. Utilizing social achievement goal theory, we hypothesized that social goal orientations would predict 1) the likelihood of engaging with a larger audience on social media, 2) whether social media was used in a relatively active, deep, and interactive manner, and 3) the degree to which social media involvement leads to a feeling of social connection. Results of two studies supported our hypotheses and suggested that social development, social demonstration-approach, and social demonstration-avoid goals relate to different kinds of social media behavior and different perceptions of social connection in relation to their social media use. Findings suggest that social media provide a variety of ways for individuals to attain a sense of social competency and connection that are consistent with their underlying goal orientations. • Social achievement goals relate to engaging with many others on social media. • Social achievement goals relate to active posting and deep social media use. • Social achievement goals relate to a sense of connection when using social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]