Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE)

Maladaptive Daydreaming, Video Game Playing and Fear of Missing Out

While mind wandering and certain levels of daydreaming are normal, maladaptive daydreaming is characterized by its interference with daily activities and the potential for high levels of distress. We investigated experiences that co-occur with this relatively new concept in the research literature. We hypothesized that higher levels of maladaptive daydreaming would predict higher levels of video game playing, a greater fear of missing out, poorer social relationships, and lower self-esteem. Participants were young adults with a mean age of 20.15 (SD = 2.93). They were primarily White (63%), cisgender women (73%), and heterosexual (53%). Participants responded to scales to measure relationship quality with a romantic partner, best friend, parent figure, and fictional/parasocial character. Participants also responded to scales to measure their time spent playing video games, fear of missing out (FOMO), level of maladaptive daydreaming, and self-esteem. Supporting our hypotheses, we found that maladaptive daydreaming co-occurred with video game playing, another escapism strategy. Maladaptive daydreaming also predicted higher levels of FOMO, perhaps suggesting dreamers’ awareness of the unhealthy nature of their daydreaming activities. Contradicting our hypothesis, maladaptive daydreaming did not predict social relationship quality. Heavy daydreamers may be unaware of their relationship quality or, alternatively, may experience a range of relationship quality depending on how others engage with and respond to their escapism behaviors. Maladaptive daydreaming was seen across demographic categories, but was highest in non-heterosexual adults and those diagnosed with mental health issues. These findings reveal how pervasive maladaptive daydreaming is among young adults and identify unhealthy associations.