Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Date of Submission

2026-07-25

Advisor

Dr. Saima Bint-E-Saif, Assistant Professor, Department of SSLA

Committee

Dr. Tehzeeb Sakina Amir

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Maladaptive daydreaming, Childhood emotional neglect, Maternal bonding, Attachment theory, Pakistani university students

Abstract

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a phenomenon characterised by its immersive and compulsive activity that can interfere with daily functioning (Somer, 2002), it has been theoretically linked to childhood emotional neglect, yet empirical investigation of this relationship remains limited especially in Pakistani context. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, 152 university students aged 18 to 25 years were recruited through convenience sampling via social media platforms and university networks across Pakistan. Participants completed the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16; Somer et al., 2016) and the maternal care subscale of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI; Parker et al., 1979). Data were analysed using Pearson correlation, simple linear regression, and an independent samples t-test. Perceived maternal care was a significant negative predictor of maladaptive daydreaming (β = −.378, p < .001, R² = .143), and participants classified in the low maternal care group scored significantly higher on the MDS-16 than those in the high care group, t(150) = 3.95, p < .001. In the qualitative phase, eight participants selected on the basis of their PBI scores took part in semi-structured interviews analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, where five themes were generated: daydreaming as an inner sanctuary, daydreaming as emotional scaffolding, the ideal self in imagination, maternal attachment as a silent author, and agency and the shifting control of inner experience. Participants in the neglect group described daydreaming as a place they frequently turned to for comfort, often centred around themes of seeking validation, support, and emotional connection. In contrast, participants in the no-neglect group described daydreaming as a more reflective experience that they generally felt in control of. Together, the mixed methods findings support an attachment-informed understanding of maladaptive daydreaming and highlight its relevance for mental health practice in Pakistani clinical and educational settings.

Pages

111

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