The inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion (8)
I believe the answer is:
escapism
'the inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for escapism that I've seen before include "The avoidance of reality by absorbing the mind in fantasy" , "Avoiding life's realities by indulging in fantasies" , "Tendency to flee reality" , "An inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy" , "seeking to avoid reality" .)