Abstract
Purpose
Maladaptive daydreaming is excessive daydreaming that causes distress, disrupts well-being, and thus impairs academic performance among university students. Because loneliness, low self-esteem, and stress are common risk factors for maladaptive daydreaming, we investigated whether loneliness and self-esteem predicted maladaptive daydreaming and if perceived stress mediated these relationships.
Methods
119 university students (71.40% female) completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale. The hypotheses were tested using mediated regression analyses.
Results
Higher loneliness and lower self-esteem significantly predicted maladaptive daydreaming. Perceived stress partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and maladaptive daydreaming, and fully mediated the relationship between self-esteem and maladaptive daydreaming.
Conclusion
University students were likely to engage in maladaptive daydreaming to compensate for unmet belongingness needs and cope with perceived stress. The mediating role of perceived stress implies that interventions that target stress may reduce maladaptive daydreaming, mitigating its consequences and improving the well-being of university students.