Emotion dysregulation, dissociation, and borderline personality disorder symptoms as correlates of maladaptive daydreaming in a general sample: The crucial role of experiential avoidance

Abstract

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is defined as a long-hour fantasizing that disrupts the individual's daily functioning and enables an escape from unpleasant internal experiences. Previous studies indicate the significant role of daydreaming in emotion dysregulation. Considering the emotionality in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), it can be assumed that MD functions as one of the strategies for coping with emotions in this group. The study aimed to explore the co-occurrence of MD with BPD symptoms. Additionally, the study will examine the role of BPD symptoms, experiential avoidance (EA), emotion dysregulation, and dissociation in the maintenance of MD. The sample included 167 adults (136 women, 28 men, 3 other/non-binary). MD symptoms correlated positively with BPD symptoms, dissociation, emotion dysregulation, and experiential avoidance. Two models explaining the symptoms of MD were compared. Model 1 did not include EA - after adding this variable, the fit of model 2 increased (SRMR = 0.095). EA predicted emotional dysregulation and dissociation, which in turn explained MD symptoms. The results allow for clinical cues for specialists and interventions focused on developing acceptance in treating MD and BPD symptoms.