Aversion to Happiness and Life Satisfaction: Exploring the Role of Psychological Inflexibility and Vulnerability

Aversion to happiness (AH) is a destructive psychological phenomenon that significantly impacts individuals' well-being. The mediating roles of psychological inflexibility (PI) and psychological vulnerability (PV) in the relationship between AH and life satisfaction (LS) remain an unexplored gap in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of PI and PV in the relationship between AH and LS. A total of 404 participants were included in the study (Mage = 22.32 years, SD = 5.20). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrap analysis were employed to test the study’s model. The results from SEM revealed that individuals experiencing aversion to happiness exhibited high levels of psychological inflexibility and psychological vulnerability, along with low life satisfaction. The study confirmed the mediating effects of PI and PV in the relationship between aversion to happiness and life satisfaction. These results suggest that reducing psychological inflexibility and psychological vulnerability may help individuals more effectively manage their aversion to happiness, potentially enhancing overall life satisfaction. Based on these findings, mental health professionals are encouraged to implement interventions aimed at boosting life satisfaction and mitigating the impact of risk factors. Specifically, psychological counselors are advised to apply counseling and psychoeducation interventions designed to enhance life satisfaction and address risk factors. Approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help reduce psychological inflexibility in individuals who experience aversion to happiness, while cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques can address psychological vulnerability.