title: Childhood Antecedents and Maintaining Factors in Maladaptive Daydreaming.
abstract: This study explored the fantasy activity of 16 individuals who were seeking online peer-support and advice for maladaptive daydreaming (MD). MD is an under-researched mental activity described as persistent vivid fantasy activity that replaces human interaction and/or interferes with important areas of functioning. We employed a grounded theory methodology that yielded seven common themes presented as a sequential descriptive narrative about the nature, precursors, and consequences of MD. The presented "storyline" included the following themes: (1) daydreaming as an innate talent for vivid fantasy; (2) daydreaming and social isolation-a two-way street; (3) the role of trauma in the development of MD; (4) the rewards of daydreaming; (5) the insatiable yearning for daydreaming; (6) shame and concealment; (7) unsuccessful treatment attempts. A main conclusion of our study is that there is an urgent need for early identification of MD and its correct diagnoses in adulthood.
authors.affiliation: *School of Social Work, University of Haifa; †The Interdisciplinary Center for the Treatment of Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Bani Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; ‡Institute of Psychology, Université de Lausanne; and §Swiss Centre of Competence in Research LIVES-Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Somer
authors.forename: Liora
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Somer
authors.forename: Daniela S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Jopp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005201:Fantasy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D000068099:Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult