Introduction

Fear of happiness refers to the belief that experiencing happiness may result in negative consequences, such as misfortune or loss. This belief serves as a significant obstacle to achieving well-being1,2,3. Grounded in culturally and individually shaped lay theories, fear of happiness reflects subjective beliefs about the desirability and risks of happiness, which influence emotional regulation and engagement with positive experiences4,5. These lay theories frame happiness as fleeting, fragile, or even harmful, shaping behavioral responses that inhibit the benefits of positive emotions. This disruption is consistent with the Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions6 which suggests that positive emotions expand cognitive and behavioral repertoires, enabling individuals to build enduring psychological resources such as resilience, meaning in life, and social support. However, individuals with a high fear of happiness often avoid positive emotions, narrowing their cognitive engagement and depleting resources critical for coping and well-being7,8.

The association between lay theories and the Broaden-and-Build Theory illustrates a cyclical relationship: beliefs about happiness shape emotional responses, which then influence the development or neglect of psychological resources9,10. Fear of happiness fosters avoidance behaviors that prevent individuals from forming deep social bonds, pursuing meaningful goals, or experiencing emotional recovery. Over time, this cycle reinforces the initial belief that happiness is dangerous, amplifying vulnerability to distress. Intervening in this cycle requires more than fostering positive emotions; it demands reshaping maladaptive beliefs about happiness. Interventions aimed at challenging lay theories and promoting cognitive flexibility can help individuals re-engage with positive experiences11. Additionally, activities aligned with Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build principles, such as gratitude practices or collaborative efforts, could interrupt the cycle of resource depletion caused by fear of happiness8,12.

Despite extensive research linking fear of happiness to poor psychological outcomes13,14 the mechanisms underlying these relationships remain underexplored. Resilience, meaning in life, and social support are recognized as protective factors against psychological distress, yet their mediating roles in the relationship between fear of happiness and distress have not been comprehensively studied2,7,12. While Yildirim (2019)7 highlighted resilience’s role in mediating fear of happiness on well-being, broader mediators, such as meaning in life and social support, remain insufficiently addressed. Findings from the Turkish context (Elmas & Çevik, 2024) emphasize the importance of cultural influences but lack an integrated framework that captures the relationship among these mediators in explaining psychological distress15.

This study seeks to address these gaps by examining how resilience, meaning in life, and social support mediate the relationship between fear of happiness and psychological distress. By integrating insights from the Broaden-and-Build Theory and cultural perspectives on lay theories, this research aims to deepen understanding of the cognitive and emotional pathways through which fear of happiness affects well-being. The findings will inform interventions targeting these mechanisms, offering strategies to mitigate the negative effects of fear of happiness on mental health.

Fear of happiness: A complex psychological phenomenon

Happiness is often regarded as a universal goal, yet beliefs and assumptions about it differ significantly among individuals16. As part of the broader construct of well-being, happiness is assessed through constructs like flourishing, subjective well-being, and psychological well-being17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24. However, fear of happiness or cherophobia involves the avoidance of positive emotions based on the belief that happiness may lead to negative consequences25. Rooted in ideas that happiness signals misfortune, fear of happiness manifests in thoughts like, “When I am happy, bad things will happen,” or “We laughed so much, something bad is bound to occur”26,27,28,29. Cultural norms and individual experiences reinforce these beliefs, embedding avoidance behaviors into daily life26,30.

Fear of happiness significantly impacts mental health, correlating with anxiety, depression, alexithymia, and reduced life satisfaction31. It erodes resilience, a critical resource for managing adversity, perpetuating cycles of avoidance and emotional vulnerability6,12. Social well-being also suffers, as fear of happiness fosters withdrawal from relationships and weakens social support networks essential for psychological stability5,32. In collectivist cultures, happiness is sometimes viewed as a source of conflict or envy, further isolating individuals33. Cognitive distortions, including catastrophizing, play a central role in sustaining fear of happiness by reinforcing negative associations between happiness and misfortune26,29. Such patterns undermine hope, reducing motivation and cognitive flexibility, and amplifying despair7,34.

Addressing fear of happiness requires interventions targeting cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) challenges maladaptive beliefs and promotes healthier emotional patterns8,26. Mindfulness-based strategies encourage present-moment awareness, mitigating avoidance behaviors5,6. Social interventions, including gratitude practices and fostering supportive relationships, help counter the isolating effects of fear of happiness and normalize joy12,35. By addressing these patterns, individuals can learn to embrace happiness as a vital component of a fulfilling life.

Fear of happiness predicts resilience, meaning in life, social support, and psychological distress

Fear of happiness, rooted in maladaptive lay theories, undermines individuals’ capacity to engage with positive emotions, directly affecting psychological resources such as resilience, meaning in life, and social support. Research consistently demonstrates that fear of happiness fosters avoidance behaviors, hindering the development of emotional and social strengths necessary for well-being4,30,36. Individuals who associate happiness with risk tend to avoid situations that elicit positive emotions, thereby limiting their ability to build resilience and adapt to adversity6. This avoidance behavior creates a cognitive and emotional deficit, as Yildirim (2019) found that fear of happiness is negatively associated with resilience, reducing psychological adaptability and strength7. Fredrickson’s Broaden-and-Build Theory (2001) provides a theoretical framework for understanding this dynamic6. Positive emotions are essential for expanding thought-action repertoires and building enduring resources like resilience. However, fear of happiness narrows these repertoires, leaving individuals vulnerable to stress and distress12,37. Similarly, meaning in life, which offers coherence and purpose, is disrupted by fear of happiness. Belen et al. (2020) demonstrated that fear of happiness diminishes hope—an essential component of meaning in life—thereby impairing one’s ability to pursue long-term goals and derive satisfaction from meaningful experiences8. Joshanloo (2018) further elaborated that individuals with a high fear of happiness often perceive happiness as fleeting or dangerous, leading to existential uncertainty and a lack of purpose, which exacerbates psychological vulnerability2. Fear of happiness also negatively impacts social support by fostering withdrawal from interpersonal connections. Blasco-Belled et al. (2021) emphasized that individuals with a high fear of happiness are less likely to form or maintain supportive relationships, as they perceive social interactions involving happiness as potentially disruptive or risky12. Cultural norms further amplify this dynamic, particularly in collectivist societies where happiness is viewed as a threat to social harmony33. As a result, fear of happiness not only erodes personal relationships but also limits access to external emotional resources, contributing to psychological distress.

By undermining resilience, meaning in life, and social support, fear of happiness deprives individuals of the tools needed to buffer against stress. This collective impact reinforces the fear of happiness’s direct association with psychological distress, amplifying individuals’ vulnerability to adverse mental health outcomes5,7.

H1: Fear of happiness will have a negative relationship with resilience, meaning in life, and perceived social support, and a positive relationship with psychological distress.

Resilience, meaning in life, and social support predict psychological distress

Resilience, meaning in life, and social support are well-established protective factors that mitigate psychological distress. Resilience acts as a buffer against stress by enabling individuals to adapt and recover from adversity6. Yildirim (2019) demonstrated that resilience mediates the relationship between fear of happiness and well-being, with greater resilience reducing vulnerability to distress7. Individuals with high resilience are better equipped to manage negative emotional states, even in the presence of maladaptive beliefs about happiness. Meaning in life also plays a crucial role in reducing psychological distress by providing individuals with existential grounding. Steger et al. (2006), as cited in Heintzelman et al. (2020), highlighted that individuals with a strong sense of purpose and coherence experience lower stress levels and greater emotional stability9,38. In the context of fear of happiness, fostering meaning helps counteract the existential void created by avoidance behaviors. Belen et al. (2020) further demonstrated that hope—closely tied to meaning in life—mediates the impact of fear of happiness on flourishing, underscoring the critical role of purpose in mitigating distress8. Social support is another key resource that protects against psychological distress. Strong social networks offer emotional security and practical assistance, helping individuals manage stress more effectively5,12. The stress-buffering model32 supports this, showing that social support reduces the effects of stress by providing relational and emotional stability. However, fear of happiness undermines this protective factor by discouraging social engagement, particularly in cultural contexts where happiness is seen as a source of envy or conflict33. The absence of social support exacerbates psychological distress, leaving individuals without the relational resources needed to manage their emotional challenges.

Together, resilience, meaning in life, and social support form a robust triad that collectively reduces psychological distress. These resources not only counteract the effects of fear of happiness but also provide a comprehensive framework for emotional and cognitive recovery5,6.

H2: Resilience, meaning in life, and perceived social support will have negative relationships with psychological distress.

Resilience, meaning in life, and social support mediate the relationship between fear of happiness and psychological distress

The mediating roles of resilience, meaning in life, and social support explain how fear of happiness exerts its influence on psychological distress. Yildirim (2019) demonstrated that resilience partially mediates the relationship between fear of happiness and well-being outcomes, suggesting that individuals with greater resilience are less susceptible to the harmful effects of fear of happiness7. This aligns with the Broaden-and-Build Theory, which posits that positive emotions are necessary for building adaptive coping mechanisms. However, fear of happiness disrupts this process by narrowing emotional engagement and diminishing resilience over time6,8. Similarly, meaning in life mediates the relationship between fear of happiness and distress by bridging the gap between avoidance behaviors and existential well-being. Belen et al. (2020) found that greater levels of hope, an important ingredient for meaning in life, help buffer against the negative impact of fear of happiness, supporting individuals in maintaining purpose and coherence despite maladaptive beliefs8. This finding underscores the importance of addressing cognitive and emotional pathways to mitigate the uncertainty associated with fear of happiness. Social support also serves as a critical mediator by providing relational stability and emotional assistance. While Blasco-Belled et al. (2021) did not directly test the mediation of social support in the fear of happiness-distress relationship, their findings suggest that diminished social connections amplify the psychological toll of fear of happiness12. Cultural beliefs exacerbate this dynamic, as collectivist societies often associate happiness with potential social disruption, leading to withdrawal from relationships33. This withdrawal limits access to external resources, intensifying the impact of fear of happiness on distress.

These interconnected mediators—resilience, meaning in life, and social support—provide a comprehensive explanation of how fear of happiness undermines psychological well-being. By highlighting critical pathways, they present important evidence for designing interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of fear of happiness on mental health5,7.

H3: Resilience, meaning in life, and perceived social support will mediate the association between fear of happiness and psychological distress.

Method

Participants

The sample for this study consisted of 981 Turkish young adults. A total of 681 (69.4%) of the participants were female, and 300 (30.6%) were male. The mean age was 23.93 years (SD = 6.69). The majority of participants (759, 77.4%) reported average socioeconomic status, followed by below average (135, 13.8%) and above average (87, 8.9%). 243 participants (24.8%) were married, 726 participants (74.0%) were single, and 12 participants (1.2%) were widowed/divorced.

Measures

Fear of happiness

The Fear of Happiness Scale (Joshanloo, 2013) was used to assess individuals’ aversion to experiencing happiness1. The scale consists of five items rated on a 7-point Likert scale, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). An example item is: “Having lots of joy and fun causes bad things to happen.” The scale was adapted to Turkish by Yildirim and Aziz (2017), who reported satisfactory psychometric properties39. In this study, a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90 was reported.

Psychological distress

The Psychological Distress Scale-6 (Kessler et al., 2002) was employed to measure levels of psychological distress40. This scale comprises six items, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (none of the time) to 5 (all of the time). A sample question is: “During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel nervous?” The scale was translated into Turkish by Altun et al. (2019), who demonstrated strong reliability and confirmed its single-factor structure41. In this study, a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.79 was found.

Meaning in life

The Meaning in Life Questionnaire – Short Form (MLQ-SF)42 derived from the original Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)38 was utilized to evaluate perceptions of meaning in life. The MLQ-SF includes three items scored on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (absolutely untrue) to 7 (absolutely true). A sample item is: “My life has a clear meaning or purpose.” The Turkish adaptation was carried out by Demirbaş (2010), who confirmed the strong reliability and validity of the scale43. A Cronbach’s alpha of 0.80 was presented in this study.

Resilience

The Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), originally developed by Smith et al. (2008), is a 6-item self-report measure designed to assess an individual’s capacity to recover from adversity, setbacks, and failures44. The scale is unidimensional and uses a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). An example item includes, “I tend to bounce back quickly after hard times”. The Turkish version of the BRS, adapted by Doğan (2015), has shown satisfactory reliability and validity45. In the current study, a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.74 was reported.

Perceived social support

Perceived social support was assessed using the Brief Perceived Social Support Questionnaire46 a 6-item measure designed to evaluate individuals’ perceived levels of social support. A sample item includes “I receive a lot of understanding and security from others,” which is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not true at all) to 5 (very true). Higher scores indicate a greater perception of social support. The Turkish adaptation and validation of the scale were conducted by Yıldırım and Tanrıverdi (2021)47. In the current study, the reliability of the scale was supported by a satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.81.

Procedures

Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling through an online survey distributed on social media platforms. Informed consent was obtained before participants completed a series of standardized questionnaires hosted on the Google Forms platform. Participation was entirely voluntary, and no financial incentives were offered. The inclusion criteria were: being over 18 years of age, having full understanding of the Turkish language, and having access to the internet and social networking sites. Data were collected at a single time point, making the study cross-sectional in design. Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University Scientific Research Ethics Committee, under reference number of E-95531838-050.99-118554.

Results

Preliminary analyses

Descriptive statistics, skewness and kurtosis values, correlation and Cronbach alphas are shown in Table 1. Skewness values ​​ranging between 0.45 and − 0.93 and kurtosis values ​​ranging between 0.79 and − 0.87 showed that the assumption of normality was not violated. In correlation analysis, fear of happiness had a negative relationship with resilience (r = −.27, p <.001), meaning in life (r = −.25, p <.001), and perceived social support (r = −.15, p <.001), and a positive relationship with psychological distress (r =.33, p <.001). Resilience (r = −.42, p <.001), meaning in life (r = −.37, p <.001) and perceived social support (r = −.28, p <.001) had a negative relationship with psychological distress. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.90 for fear of happiness, 0.74 for resilience, 0.80 for meaning in life, 0.81 for perceived social support and 0.79 for psychological distress.

Mediation analysis

The results of the mediation analysis are shown in Table 2. The results showed that fear of happiness significantly predicted resilience (β = − 0.13, p <.001), meaning in life (β = − 0.11, p <.001), perceived social support (β = − 0.09, p <.001) and psychological distress (β = 0.09, p <.001). Resilience (β = − 0.30, p <.001), meaning in life (β = − 0.24, p <.001) and perceived social support (β = − 0.14, p <.001) significantly predicted psychological distress. Fear of happiness, resilience, meaning in life and perceived social support explained 31% of the variance in psychological distress.

The indirect, direct and total effects are shown in Table 3. Fear of happiness had a direct effect on psychological distress (effect = 0.09, [0.06, 0.11]), and an indirect effect through resilience (effect = 0.04, [0.02, 0.05]), meaning in life (effect = 0.03, [0.01, 0.04]) and perceived social support (effect = 0.01, [0.01, 0.02]). The conceptual model with standardized coefficients is presented in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Standardized coefficients of the mediation model.

Discussion

This study examined the mediating roles of resilience, meaning in life, and perceived social support in the relationship between fear of happiness and psychological distress, providing valuable evidence about the mechanisms underpinning these associations. The findings supported all three hypotheses, underscoring the significant role of psychological resources in mitigating the negative effects of fear of happiness on mental health. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of how fear of happiness, as a maladaptive belief system, undermines well-being by disrupting essential psychological resources.

The first hypothesis (H1) posited that fear of happiness negatively predicts resilience, meaning in life, and social support while positively predicting psychological distress. This hypothesis was strongly supported by the data, revealing that individuals with high levels of fear of happiness exhibit diminished psychological resources and heightened distress. These findings align with prior research, demonstrating that maladaptive beliefs about happiness foster avoidance behaviors, thereby limiting the emotional and cognitive engagement necessary for developing adaptive coping strategies6,7. Such avoidance behavior narrows individuals’ ability to build resilience, making them more vulnerable to stress. Moreover, the negative relationship between fear of happiness and meaning in life highlights how fear of happiness disrupts existential grounding and coherence, which are critical for maintaining psychological stability. Similarly, social support was shown to be negatively affected by fear of happiness, as individuals who fear happiness are less likely to form or maintain supportive relat