ABSTRACT
This research explored the role of passion when facing the COVID-19 pandemic. In three studies, we investigated the role of engaging in a pre-existing passionate activity (Studies 1 and 2), developing a new passionate activity (Studies 2 and 3), and letting go of an unavailable passionate activity (Study 3) during the pandemic. Emotions experienced when engaging in the passionate activity were examined as mediators in the relationships between the passionate engagement and psychological health. Results showed that harmonious passions (HPs) for pre-existing (Studies 1 to 3) and new activities (Studies 2 and 3) were positively related to well-being via positive emotions. HPs for pre-existing (Study 1) and new activities (Studies 2 and 3) were also negatively related to ill-being through their negative relationships with negative emotions and the positive link between a HP for a new activity and disengagement from an unavailable passionate activity (Study 3). Conversely, obsessive passions (OPs) for pre-existing (Study 1) and new activities (Study 2) were positively related to well-being, but also to negative emotions and ill-being (Studies 1 to 3). In sum, when facing a major negative event, HPs for pre-existing and new activities were positively related to more positive psychological outcomes than OPs. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd