Maladaptive Daydreaming and Psychopathology: A Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a clinical condition that cannot be explained by any existing psychopathology. The empirical literature regarding MD suggests that it is associated with mental afflictions and exhibits attributes resembling a psychological disorder. This study aimed to meta-analytically investigate the relationship between MD and various manifestations of mental distress and dysfunction. Forty studies, totaling 24,977 individuals (Mean_(age) = 28.75, SD = 9.90), met our eligibility inclusion criteria and were incorporated in the analyses. Findings revealed that MD is positively associated with depression, anxiety, dissociation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, general psychopathology, psychotic symptoms, autism spectrum disor

SUBMITTER: Somer E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11858500 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature