The Relationship between Distressing Life Events and Positive and Negative Mental Health

Background and Objectives: Previous research on distressing life events primarily emphasized negative mental health outcomes. However, there has been a growing focus on positive mental health factors in recent times. This study investigated the relationship between distressing life events and positive mental health (PMH), satisfaction with life (SWL), subjective happiness (SH), and depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–21; DASS-21). Design and Methods: The sample included N = 426 students who participated in an online study testing protective and risk factors in the context of mental health and reports secondary analyses of these data. Results: Correlational analyses showed that experiencing a distressing life event was linked to lower levels of PMH and SWL, and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Post-hoc group comparisons supported this pattern. Among those who experienced a distressing life event, higher current distress due to the event correlated with lower levels of PMH, SWL, and SH, and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusions: This study showed robust correlations between the experience of a distressing life event and levels of both positive and negative mental health. Promoting mental health may thus be an important preventative target in at-risk groups.