Background
In uncertain times such as the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals must find ways to get through adversity. Research has shown that engaging in a passionate activity may contribute to the resilience process in the face of adversity (Paquette & Vallerand, 2021). Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of engaging in a passionate activity during the pandemic on psychological wellbeing. According to the Dualistic Model of Passion (Vallerand, 2015), there are two types of passion: harmonious, which is well-integrated in one's life, and obsessive, which is experienced as more rigid and may be in conflict with other spheres of one's life.
Hypotheses/Research Questions
We conducted a study to examine if emotions experienced during the passionate activity as well as a sense of meaning mediated the relationships between passion, on the one hand, and happiness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety, on the other hand.
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size
The sample included 187 participants (61 F; M age: 36.9) pursuing their passionate activity during the pandemic.
Design
Passion, positive and negative emotions, sense of meaning, happiness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety were assessed via an online questionnaire in April 2020.
Results
A structural equation model revealed that pursuing an activity out of harmonious passion during the pandemic was positively associated with positive emotions and a sense of meaning. On the other hand, pursuing an obsessive passion was positively associated with negative emotions but also a sense of meaning. In turn, both positive emotions and a sense of meaning positively predicted happiness. Furthermore, a sense of meaning also protected against ill-being as measured by depressive symptoms and anxiety. Conversely, negative emotions positively predicted ill-being.
Scientific Contribution
This study showed that engaging in an activity that one cares about out during the pandemic may provide some benefits for one's psychological wellbeing. However, this is especially the case if one's passion is harmonious in nature and not as much obsessive.