Fear of happiness through the prism of the dual continua model of mental health. Issue 10 (24th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blasco‐Belled, Ana; Rogoza, Radosław; Alsinet, Carles; Torrelles‐Nadal, Cristina
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 77:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: 2245
• Page End: 2261
• Publication Date: 2021-05-24
• Subjects: depression -- dual continua model of mental health -- fear of happiness -- happiness -- mental health; Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Two studies were conducted to investigate fear of happiness through the lens of the dual continua model of mental health. Methods: In Study 1, we examined whether depression (indicator of mental illness) and happiness (indicator of mental health) predicted fear of happiness through a Structural Equation Model. In Study 2, we ran a quasi‐experimental design to examine differences in affect (positive and negative), happiness and depression when engaging in either fearless or fearful beliefs of happiness. Results: Fear of happiness was positively and negatively predicted by depression and happiness, respectively. Fearless individuals reported higher positive affect and happiness, and lower negative affect and depression, than fearful individuals. Conclusions: Fearing happiness might act as a maladaptive self‐verifying motive to enhance one's perspective of the world. Given the likelihood of modifying maladaptive cognitive patterns, we highlight different psychological interventions that can address the negative impact of fearful beliefs of happiness.