![]() ![]() This, in turn, may prove helpful in devising more effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures in response to the psychological consequences of the pandemic. The accumulated knowledge about the dynamics of affective states in the face of a threatening situation provides information on how people cope with a long-term danger. We focused on the dynamics of the experienced affective states at different times of the first outbreak of the pandemic: the intensity of the negative emotions expected to be experienced in a population (as an indirect measure of emotions experienced by individuals) and a sense of threat caused by the pandemic situation depending on the distance from the self and in locations where geographical distances from the self varied (Poland, Europe, and worldwide). The aim of the study presented in this article was to identify strategies that people use in response to the need for long-term confrontation with a growing threat. The decrease in the intensity of negative emotions explains unrealistic absolute optimism, while the perception of the situation in Poland as less threatening than in Europe and around the world is predicted by unrealistic comparative optimism. The obtained results are interpreted as a manifestation of adaptive perception of the threat that lies beyond one’s control, which takes the form of unconscious, biased distortions: unrealistic optimism. In addition, surprisingly, a reversed effect of the distance was revealed: namely, a sense of threat experienced towards distant locations (Europe and the world) was found to be more acute when compared with the threat experienced in Poland. Despite the objective number of confirmed COVID-19 cases during each of the stages of the study, both the intensity of emotions attributed by participants as well as the feeling of threat were found to have decreased. The intensity of negative emotions and the sense of threat caused by the pandemic situation in Poland, Europe, and worldwide were measured. ![]() We used the mixed quasi-experimental design in the series of four studies conducted by Internet in March, May, June, and July 2020. In addition, it was anticipated that the physical distance would modify the assessment of the situation as threatening depending on the geographical proximity: in Poland, Europe, and worldwide. It was expected that both the negative emotions and the sense of threat would decrease with time. The researchers focused on the dynamics of changes in the areas of (1) experienced negative emotions (asked in an indirect way) and (2) a subjective feeling of threat regarding the pandemic (in three different contexts: Poland, Europe, and worldwide) during the first phase of the pandemic in Poland. We registered selected manifestations of affective reactions to the pandemic situation. The aim of this research was to identify strategies that people use in response to a long-term threat that restore affective balance and a subjective sense of security. The pandemic’s universal and long-term character, as well as the ensuing drastic limitation of control over one’s life, have made it necessary to work out adaptive strategies that would reduce negative experiences and eventually lead to the restoration of well-being. ![]() For millions of people, the COVID-19 pandemic situation and its accompanying restrictions have been a source of threat and confrontation with negative emotions. ![]()
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