From Escape to Entrapment: A Correlational Study between Maladaptive Daydreaming, Emotional Regulation Difficulties, & Daydreaming Content

Authors

  • Gracey Gaware Student, Nowrosjee Wadia College (Autonomous, Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University), Maharashtra
  • Mrs. Shweta Kakade Assistant Professor, Nowrosjee Wadia College (Autonomous, Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University), Maharashtra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25215/1401.174

Keywords:

Escape, Entrapment, Maladaptive Daydreaming, Emotional Regulation Difficulties, Daydreaming Content

Abstract

Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) involves excessive immersive fantasy disrupting functioning as maladaptive emotion regulation. Examined MD-emotion regulation correlations in 95 Indian young adults (18-30, Tier 1/2 cities) using MDS-16, DERS-16, ERQ-10, IDCC. Spearman correlations: global DERS ρ=.37 p<.001, impulse control ρ=.25 p<.01, strategies ρ=.37 p<.001; suppression ρ=.07 p=.52 (ns). IDCC showed power/control, escape, relationship themes. MD links to regulation deficits in Indian youth; DBT‑informed interventions recommended. Limitations: convenience sampling and cross-sectional design.

Published

2026-03-31

How to Cite

Gracey Gaware, & Mrs. Shweta Kakade. (2026). From Escape to Entrapment: A Correlational Study between Maladaptive Daydreaming, Emotional Regulation Difficulties, & Daydreaming Content. International Journal of Indian Psychȯlogy, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.25215/1401.174

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): Volume 14, Issue 1, January-March, 2026

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.