Individualism-Collectivism (I-C) indices do not mediate the negative association between non-referent downward counterfactual thinking and prevention pride in Australian university students
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Non-referent downward counterfactual thinking pertains to visualising how life events could have turned out for the worse without identifying who is blameworthy for the negative outcome. A key question is whether its link to prevention pride corresponds to the direction articulated in the Functional Theory – that is, in general, downward counterfactual thinking is positively associated with prevention goal-attainment, and this could be facilitated by greater adherence to social norms that maintain the status quo. This research question was investigated in a cross-sectional study using a sample of Australian university students ( N = 209, M age = 24.48, SD = 8.23; Range = 18-56). Contrary to the Functional Theory of Counterfactual Thinking, it was found that more frequent non-referent downward counterfactual thinking was associated with lower prevention pride. Non-referent downward counterfactuals did not significantly predict Individualism-Collectivism indices ( i.e. , social harmony, self-control, social identification, and social sharing of recognition). Amongst the I-C indices, only social identification and social sharing of recognition were found to be significantly positively and negatively associated with prevention pride, respectively. However, the I-C indices did not mediate the negative association between non-referent downward counterfactual thinking and prevention pride. Therapeutic implications were discussed in relation to the “wake-up call” principle to help individuals take preventative actions in the future.
Source: Routledge Open Research
Author: Anne Gene Broomhall
Language: English
Subfield: General Decision Sciences
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408056068