Subjective Understanding of “Fear of Failure” among Emerging Adults in Kolkata, India: An Exploratory Study

Description

Page: 507-510

Drisha Dey, Sneha Thander, and Deepshikha Ray (Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal)

The present study tries to explore the subjective understanding of “fear of failure” among 6 individuals who are in the phase of “Emerging Adulthood,” i.e., with an age ranging from 21 years to 23 years, who belong to urban Kolkata using the qualitative data collection method of an in-depth interview. Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was used to analyse and interpret the data. Accordingly, 5 core themes were identified “perceived definition of failure”, “reaction to failure”, “positive attitude towards failure”, “use of positive coping strategies”, and “psychological approach to task with the potential of failure”. The findings of the present study open up new perspectives to the understanding of the construct “fear of failure”, for example, broadening the definition to include failure with respect to interpersonal relationships and loss of control and also possible adaptive consequences of “fear of failure” in enhancing self-growth and performance.