Introducing the addictive daydreaming scale: development and Polish validation of the ADS-20 and ADS-5

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cris.lastimport.scopus2026-05-28T03:10:16Z
dc.abstract.enBackground and aims: Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a pattern of excessive, compulsive fantasizing associated with functional impairment. While its classification remains debated, increasing evidence suggests that it may be understood as an addictive form of emotion regulation. This study aimed to develop and validate a new self-report tool, grounded in the behavioral addiction framework, for screening and assessing the severity of MD, and to examine its potential clinical utility. Methods: A mixed-clinical (N = 182) and non-clinical (N = 231) sample completed the Addictive Daydreaming Scale (ADS) in two forms: a 20-item full version (ADS-20) and a 5-item screening test (ADS-5), together with established measures of MD, quality of life, and self-rated impact of daydreaming. Results: Psychometric analyses confirmed that both the ADS-20 and ADS-5 demonstrated high reliability and strong content, criterion, and construct validity. ADS scores were more strongly correlated with both the psychological and social domains of quality of life than Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale scores, supporting its sensitivity to functional impairment. Cut-off scores of ≥42 (ADS-20) and ≥8 (ADS-5) showed good accuracy for identifying clinically significant cases. Conclusions: The ADS-20 and ADS-5 are reliable, valid instruments for identifying and assessing addictive features of maladaptive daydreaming. Their use may support improved clinical detection, assessing the severity of MD and help conceptualize it within the behavioral addictions framework.
dc.affiliationInstytut Psychologii
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii w Katowicach
dc.contributor.authorPietkiewicz, Igor J.
dc.contributor.authorHełka, Anna
dc.contributor.authorTomalski, Radosław
dc.date.access2025-12-15
dc.date.accessioned2026-05-27T09:02:28Z
dc.date.available2026-05-27T09:02:28Z
dc.date.created2025-11-24
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstract<jats:sec> <jats:title>Background and aims</jats:title> <jats:p>Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a pattern of excessive, compulsive fantasizing associated with functional impairment. While its classification remains debated, increasing evidence suggests that it may be understood as an addictive form of emotion regulation. This study aimed to develop and validate a new self-report tool, grounded in the behavioral addiction framework, for screening and assessing the severity of MD, and to examine its potential clinical utility.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>A mixed-clinical (N = 182) and non-clinical (N = 231) sample completed the Addictive Daydreaming Scale (ADS) in two forms: a 20-item full version (ADS-20) and a 5-item screening test (ADS-5), together with established measures of MD, quality of life, and self-rated impact of daydreaming.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>Psychometric analyses confirmed that both the ADS-20 and ADS-5 demonstrated high reliability and strong content, criterion, and construct validity. ADS scores were more strongly correlated with both the psychological and social domains of quality of life than Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale scores, supporting its sensitivity to functional impairment. Cut-off scores of ≥42 (ADS-20) and ≥8 (ADS-5) showed good accuracy for identifying clinically significant cases.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>The ADS-20 and ADS-5 are reliable, valid instruments for identifying and assessing addictive features of maladaptive daydreaming. Their use may support improved clinical detection, assessing the severity of MD and help conceptualize it within the behavioral addictions framework.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.physical1-16
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume16
dc.identifier.doi10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1702416
dc.identifier.issn1664-0640
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2364
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1702416/full
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsCC-BY
dc.rights.questionYes_rights
dc.share.articleOPEN_JOURNAL
dc.subject.enmaladaptive daydreaming
dc.subject.enaddictive daydreaming
dc.subject.enpsychometric validation
dc.subject.enscale development
dc.subject.enscreening tool
dc.subject.encompulsive fantasizing
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleIntroducing the addictive daydreaming scale: development and Polish validation of the ADS-20 and ADS-5
dc.title.journalFrontiers in Psychiatry
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle