Daydreaming across the Life Span: Late Adolescent to Senior Citizen

Abstract

Using an instrument developed by J. Singer and J. Antrobus, aspects of daydreaming and related mental activity were examined in males of 7 age groups from 17 through 91. Daydreaming frequency declined linearly with age. A linear decline was also observed in absorption in daydreaming, daydreams with future temporal settings, affective reactions in daydreams, imagery and vividness in daydreams, and content involving sex, bizarre-improbable events, achievement, hostility, heroism, fear of failure, and guilt. No decline was observed for acceptance of daydreams, impersonal and interpersonal curiosity, mentation rate, past and present temporal setting in daydreams, and daydreams involving problem solving. Problem solving daydreams were predominant at every age except the youngest where sexual daydreams were predominant. A factor analysis revealed seven factors, four of which involved age. It was concluded that daydreaming reflected current concerns and did not reflect suppressed desires.