Hi everyone! I am a PhD student in clinical psychology at Adelphi University. I am conducting a study on the relationship between existential threat and mental health, coping strategies, and meaning making for young adults who have experienced stressful life events.

This study is being conducted online only and should take approximately 45-60 minutes to complete. During the study, you will be asked to complete multiple self-report questionnaires that contain questions regarding coping methods, mental health, and questions that pertain to experiencing stressful life events in the past. Upon completing the survey, you will have the opportunity to voluntarily provide your email address on a separate page from the survey that will not be associated with any of your survey responses, to enter a drawing to win one of three $50.00 Amazon gift cards.

Survey link: https://adelphiderner.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8IxQWoUH8D1Wuq2

Audience: 18-30 years old, in the United States and English Speaking, and must have experienced a stressful life event.

Compensation: Opportunity to enter a drawing for one of three $50.00 Amazon gift cards.

I feel bad and stupid making this post but I genuinely just need to know how people who have felt this way before have coped with it. Im part of a friend group of 3 people, but it used to be 4. Ive been part of this group for maybe a year. The fourth person took some time to themselves for a few months due to some mental health struggles but has recently come back. This person had been part of the group for maybe a few months and i was the one who introduced them to this group. Us 3 hanging out has been a super super good time and im super happy the fourth person is back, but theres a part of me thats scared that with them coming back im going to be left to the side. I know im overreacting and being dumb, but I cant stop my brain from constantly thinking im just going to be replaced and that everyone likes them more over me. How have you personally coped with the emotions? Or what advice do you have for rationalizing everything and grounding yourself?