Daydreaming in the adolescent years: instrument development, factor analysis, and sex differences

The Imaginal Processes Inventory (IPI), originally devised for college students, was revised for use with high school students. Nineteen of the original 28 IPI daydreaming scales were used and the response format was changed. The self-report instrument was completed by a racially diverse sample of 181 ninth through eleventh grade students. Reliable application of the Revised IPI to this population was demonstrated. Distinct sex differences, not previously reported, were found showing more acceptance of daydreaming for females and more guilt and fearfulness in daydreaming for males. Factor structures were similar to previous studies, but a generally higher level of daydreaming and less uncontrolled mind wandering was found for high school students than for college students. The research suggests that personality differences between men and women could be further explored by the daydreaming instrument and that sex differences must be taken into account in further research. Use of such daydreaming data is suggested in therapeutic intervention.