Predicting Happiness in the Aftermath of National Trauma Through Fear of Terrorism: The Serial Mediation of Negative and Positive Self-Labeling and Stress

Objective: This study investigated the mediating impact of negative and positive self-labeling and stress on the relationship between fear of terrorism and happiness in the aftermath of national trauma. Method: An online survey included 844 Israeli citizens who answered questions about their demographic characteristics, happiness (trait and state), fear of terrorism, stress, and negative self-labeling (NSL; victim, indirect victim, a harmed person, a spared person) and positive self-labeling (PSL; survivor, fighter, winner, overcomer) in the context of the October 7th attack on Israel. Results: The results revealed that NSL was associated with PSL. Moreover, high fear of terrorism was associated with low state happiness, high NSL and stress, and low PSL. Furthermore, NSL and stress were negatively associated with state happiness, whereas PSL was positively associated with state happiness. Finally, NSL, PSL, and stress mediated the relationship between fear of terrorism and state happiness. Fear of terrorism, self-labeling, and stress did not contribute to trait happiness. Conclusions: This study contributes to the understanding of the distinction between trait happiness and state happiness, highlighting the link between fear of terrorism and lower levels of state happiness and its relevance to mental well-being. It also emphasizes the crucial role of self-labeling in promoting emotional well-being and happiness. Our model contributes to theoretical frameworks of posttraumatic adaptation and resilience by emphasizing the importance of acknowledging victimhood before embracing survivorship and offers insights for interventions aiming to promote posttraumatic recovery and enhance happiness after exposure to terrorism-related fear and national trauma.