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Development and validation of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS)
Eli Somer1, Jonathan Lehrfeld2, Jayne Bigelsen3
1School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Israel.
Consciousness and Cognition
|December 29, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS) to measure abnormal fantasizing. The MDS effectively identifies maladaptive daydreaming and its associated psychological impairments.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is characterized by excessive and impairing fantasizing.
- Existing assessment tools for MD are limited, necessitating a validated measurement instrument.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS), a novel self-report measure for abnormal fantasizing.
- To explore the underlying dimensions and correlates of maladaptive daydreaming.
Main Methods:
- Development of a 14-item self-report scale (MDS).
- Data collection from 447 individuals across 45 countries.
- Factor analysis to determine scale structure and correlational analyses to assess validity.
Main Results:
- A 3-correlated-factors model (Yearning, Kinesthesia, Impairment) best fit the MDS data.
- MDS scores correlated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, dissociative absorption, attention deficit, and sense of presence.
- The MDS demonstrated good validity, internal consistency, temporal stability, and high sensitivity/specificity.
Conclusions:
- The Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS) is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing MD.
- The MDS can aid in future research on the etiology and treatment of maladaptive daydreaming.
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