How long does this quiz take?

This quiz takes about three minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz diagnose a mental health condition?

No. This quiz is for self-reflection only and does not provide a clinical diagnosis.

Can my results help me improve my relationship with happiness?

Yes. Understanding your beliefs about happiness can be a first step toward feeling safer experiencing positive emotions.

Discover whether happiness feels emotionally risky for you—and why joy may trigger fear instead of relief.

Fear Of Happiness Scale

When happiness feels unsafe, it’s worth understanding why.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 18, 2025

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Some people instinctively brace themselves during moments of happiness, as if joy is a warning sign rather than a reward. This quiz explores whether you tend to associate positive emotions with negative outcomes, such as loss, disappointment, or emotional "payback." Understanding this pattern can help explain why happiness sometimes feels uncomfortable instead of energizing.

This Fear of Joy Quiz is inspired by psychological research on beliefs about happiness and misfortune. Rather than measuring how happy you are, it focuses on how safe happiness feels to you. These beliefs often develop after repeated emotional letdowns or within cultures that caution against celebrating too much.

If you notice overlap with anxiety or emotional sensitivity, you may also find it helpful to explore our Anxiety Sensitivity Test or the Realistic Optimism Scale to gain deeper insight into how you emotionally anticipate the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: This quiz takes about three minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Fear Of Happiness Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Fear Of Happiness Scale results may have changed.
Will this quiz diagnose a mental health condition?: No. This quiz is for self-reflection only and does not provide a clinical diagnosis.
Can my results help me improve my relationship with happiness?: Yes. Understanding your beliefs about happiness can be a first step toward feeling safer experiencing positive emotions.

Fear Of Joy Quiz: Take The Test

Step 1: Rate Your Relationship With Happiness

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. Happiness feels risky, like it sets me up for disappointment.

2. I feel safer emotionally when I stay emotionally neutral.

3. Moments of joy are usually followed by emotional letdowns in my life.

4. I downplay good news because it feels temporary or fragile.

5. I believe intense happiness often comes with negative consequences.

6. I try not to get too happy because it rarely lasts.

7. When things are going well, I expect something bad to follow.

8. Feeling joyful makes me uneasy rather than relaxed.

9. I believe celebrating too much can invite misfortune.

10. I often hold back positive emotions to protect myself emotionally.

11. I avoid fully enjoying positive moments because it feels wiser to stay guarded.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Fear Of Happiness Scale Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Joshanloo, M. (2013). The influence of fear of happiness beliefs on responses to the satisfaction with life scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 54(5), 647–651.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.