Where Is My Mind? The Daydreaming Characteristics Questionnaire, a New Tool to Differentiate Absorptive Daydreaming From Mind-Wandering

Abstract

Objective: Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is an impairing condition characterized by addiction to narrative, emotional fantasizing, involving dissociative absorption. By compulsively withdrawing toward vivid imaginative scenarios, MD hinders attentional functioning and replaces social interactions. Previous Interview-based research showed clinical importance in differentiating MD from ADHD and the associated construct of mind-wandering. We aimed to create a self-report tool asking directly about the content and structure of distracting thoughts. Method: Two samples, namely, 346 undergraduate students and 381 adults from the general community, completed a novel measure, the Daydreaming Characteristics Questionnaire (DCQ), along with validated measures for ADHD, mind-wandering, MD, dissociation, and general distress. Results: Exploratory Factor Analyses on the DCQ, replicated across both samples, yielded two distinct factors (immersive daydreaming and daydream functionality) uniquely associated with MD. Conclusion: The DCQ represents characteristics of immersive daydreaming much more than general attentional deficiency and is thus useful in differentiating MD from ADHD/mind-wandering distractions.