When Curiosity Feels Uncomfortable: The Association Between Curiosity as a Feeling of Deprivation and Psychological Well-Being among University Students
Keywords:
Psychological Well-Being, University Students, Developmental Psychology, Curiosity as a Feeling of DeprivationAbstract
Curiosity as a feeling of deprivation (CFD) describes the urge to resolve an information gap accompanied by the discomfort of not knowing. Although this form of curiosity may involve unpleasant feelings, its relationship with broader psychological well-being (PWB) remains unclear. This study examined the association between CFD and PWB among university students. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was used with 325 university students. CFD was assessed through the deprivation-sensitivity dimension of the Five-Dimensional Curiosity Scale, while PWB was measured using the short version of Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation in JASP. The results showed a strong positive association between CFD and PWB (r = .721, p < .001). Students who reported stronger deprivation-oriented curiosity also tended to report higher psychological well-being. The finding suggests that the discomfort associated with an information gap does not necessarily indicate poorer psychological functioning. Instead, CFD may coexist with positive psychological functioning in university students. However, the correlational design does not permit causal conclusions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Naifa Rachman, Nabila Rahman
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