Life-threatening event reduces subjective well-being through activating avoidance motivation: a longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Life-threatening events significantly impact mental health.
• Approach-avoidance theory provides a framework for understanding behavioral responses to threats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of avoidance motivation in the negative effects of life-threatening events on subjective well-being (SWB).
• To examine the longitudinal relationship between avoidance motivation and SWB during and after missile attacks.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal survey design was employed with participants from southern Israel (exposed to missile attacks) and a control group from central Israel.
• Data were collected at three time points: during missile attacks, 6 months later, and 1 year later.
• Measures included subjective well-being (positive/negative affects, anxiety, subjective health) and approach-avoidance motivation.

Main Results:

• Avoidance motivation was activated by the life threat and mediated its negative impact on SWB.
• A decrease in avoidance motivation over time was associated with a parallel improvement in SWB within the exposed sample.
• Approach motivation remained stable and correlated with positive emotions.

Conclusions:

• Avoidance motivation plays a critical role in the psychological distress following life-threatening events.
• Interventions aimed at reducing avoidance behaviors may improve subjective well-being in trauma-exposed populations.
• Distinguishing between approach and avoidance motivations is crucial for understanding responses to severe stress.