Objectives
This study examines perceived and anticipated stigma towards infected people, threat and impact appraisals of the COVID‐19 pandemic as well as distressing personal experiences related to the virus in order to determine the extent to which they directly and indirectly predict hedonic and eudaimonic well‐being. Investigated experiences included exposure to COVID‐19‐related news, having being in close proximity to people with a COVID‐19 diagnosis or with COVID‐19‐like symptoms, having being sick or having suffered COVID‐19‐like symptoms, having tested negative for COVID‐19.
Methods
Adults from northern Italy (n = 326; M age = 29.86) provided cross‐sectional data through an online survey during the nationwide lockdown period. Structural equation modelling analyses were conducted.
Results
Perceived and anticipated stigma, exposure to COVID‐19 news, perceived threat and impact on material resources access were negatively and indirectly related to both hedonic and eudaimonic well‐being via perceived COVID‐19 psychological impact which served as a mediator. Perceived stigma was also directly and negatively related to hedonic and eudaimonic well‐being, whereas having tested negative for COVID diagnosis was positively and directly associated with eudaimonic well‐being.
Conclusions
COVID‐19‐related stigma and appraisals can impair positive feelings about life as well as the pursuit of self‐realization and the search for meaning in life. The findings highlight the importance of developing psychological preventive and rehabilitative interventions to help people cope with these risk factors.