There’s something exciting yet nerve-wracking about moving into a new home. It is indeed difficult, particularly for individuals who undergo puberty. Aside from dealing with the move, they are also dealing with physical and hormonal changes daily.
In a study by psychology professor Shigehiro Oishi from the University of Virginia, children who experience frequent residential mobility are more likely to have behavioral issues. With frequent moving, children aren’t given the chance to build strong relationships with their peers. Whenever they relocate, they tend to experience peer rejection that could lead to withdrawal, depression, and other mental health issues.
An individual’s inherent personality also plays an important factor in residential relocation. The move may not take much toll on extroverts since it’s easier for them to form social networks in new places. However, it’s more difficult for introverts to adjust. “An introvert replenishes energy by spending time alone or in emotionally quiet settings,” Dr. Melissa Deuter of the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio wrote in Psychology Today. Aside from introverts, moody individuals may also have a tough time acclimatizing to their new neighborhood.
Weather and climate are external factors that also affect one’s personality. In the study “The Effects of Weather on Daily Mood: A Multilevel Approach,” featured in the journal Emotion, the weather has been discovered to be influential on our moods. On pleasant, sunny days, people tend to feel amiable. However, moving to a place with a different climate may affect individuals adversely. For example, according to professor Craig Anderson of the University of Missouri-Columbia, higher temperature levels primarily result in discomfort, which negatively affects our thinking and actions.
On another note, the cultural makeup of a new location can influence the newcomer to be just like their new neighbors. Psychologist William Chopik of Michigan State University found that there are particular personality traits inherent to a specific location. Although the study is done in the U.S., this is similar to how we associate certain characteristics with various regions in the country: Ilocanos are frugal while Ilonggos are soft-spoken, etc.
Moving is inevitable for most people as they grow up; whether you can wing it or feel like losing your sanity under the stress is often a matter of perspective. As psychologist Elizabeth Stirling told The New York Times, “No matter how much you move, you still take yourself with you.”