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Poerio_et_al_2015_-_Helping_the_heart_grow_fonder_during_absence.pdf (181.16 kB)

Helping the heart grow fonder during absence: daydreaming about significant others replenishes connectedness after induced loneliness

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posted on 2023-06-08, 21:53 authored by Giulia L Poerio, Peter Totterdell, Lisa-Marie Emerson, Eleanor MilesEleanor Miles
People are known to engage in behaviours aimed at replenishing social connectedness after their sense of belonging is threatened. We explored whether the mental strategy of daydreaming about significant others could have similar effects by acting as an imaginary substitute when loved ones are unavailable. Following a loneliness induction, participants (N = 126) were asked to either daydream about a significant other, daydream about a non-social scenario or complete a control task. Social daydreamers showed significantly increased feelings of connection, love and belonging compared to non-social daydreamers and control participants. Consistent with the proposition that social daydreaming replenished connectedness, social daydreamers also behaved more pro-socially and expressed less of a desire to interact with others after daydreaming. These findings demonstrate that through imagination, social daydreaming can replenish connectedness providing a potential strategy for enhancing socioemotional well-being.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Cognition and Emotion

ISSN

0269-9931

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Issue

6

Volume

30

Page range

1197-1207

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-07-27

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-12-06

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2015-07-27

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