Which emotional state is often linked to the concept of "failure identity"?

The emotional state linked to the concept of "failure identity" is despair. When individuals develop a failure identity, they often perceive themselves through a lens of past failures and shortcomings, which can lead to a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. This emotional state arises as they internalize their experiences of not meeting personal or societal expectations and start to believe that failure defines who they are.

In contrast, the other emotional states—success, confidence, and joy—embody positive experiences or feelings of achievement and self-worth. These states empower individuals and encourage growth and resilience, which stand in stark contrast to the feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness associated with failure identity. Therefore, despair is the emotional state that most accurately aligns with the experience of someone entrenched in the concept of failure identity.