Mixed Emotions in the Time of COVID-19: Functions in Virus-Prevention Behaviors and Eudaimonic Well-Being

We examined the functions of mixed emotions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in four studies comprising both correlational and experimental methodologies. Mixed emotions were linked to better eudaimonic well-being (e.g., self-improvement motivations) and greater intentions to enact legitimate virus-prevention behaviors (e.g., social distancing and practicing good hygiene).