In common sense, we tend to believe and replicate the idea that we are all in search of complete happiness. However, a recent study shows that some people aren't happy because they don't want to be. Furthermore, research has shown that individuals with traumatic childhoods are the majority among people who are afraid of happiness.
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Understand the fear of being happy
In a recent study published in the journalMotivation and Emotion, researcher Mohsen Joshaloo shares the results of his research on the fear of happiness. In this case, the scientist drew up a sample of 871 adults from different countries who had to answer a questionnaire about their pursuit of happiness.
Among the questions, Joshaloo asks if that person is afraid of being happy and what would be the possible reasons. Thus, it was possible to notice that many people prefer to have a life because it is pleasurable, to have a melancholy and lonely life or even because they do not feel worthy, on some level, of good things.
In addition, the research also sought to understand some details about these people, such as their beliefs and their personal history. In this way, it was possible to perceive that the fear of being happy is more common among people who believe in Karma or in some kind of magic, as well as among adults who had traumatic childhoods.
The impact of a bad childhood
Through the results, Joshaloo explains in the article how a traumatic childhood can accompany individuals into adulthood, so that it is very difficult to disengage from it. With this, it can be stated that a traumatized child will rarely be able to develop in a healthy way with independence and satisfaction with their own life.
Moreover, the author also relates how the idea of a greater force can generate a constant feeling of guilt. That's because these people believe that their happiness can bring bad consequences. Another notable point is that people with perfectionism believe that satisfaction and happiness can prevent them from achieving their goals and success.