Relation Between Daydreaming and Well-Being: Moderating Effects of Otaku Contents and Mindfulness

Abstract

The relationship between daydreaming and well-being were examined with mindfulness and consumption of Otaku contents (animations and games) as potential moderators. Recent theory suggests that both the context and contents of daydreaming matter in determining the beneficial effects of daydreaming. Mindfulness is a candidate for the former, whereas Otaku contents represent one for the latter. Metacognitive awareness and intentionality of daydreaming, and accepting relationship with the same, may facilitate such beneficial effects. As Otaku consumers obsessively engage in the imaginative contents, they will be adept at enjoying daydreaming of favorite contents. In Study 1, a survey of a large adult sample (n = 800), hierarchical regression analysis was employed to predict wellbeing from the three-way interaction of daydreaming × mindfulness × Otaku consumption. Significant three-way interactions emerged, predicting both life satisfaction and psychological well-being. Those high on either the non-judging facet of mindfulness or Otaku consumption showed a positive relationship between daydreaming and life satisfaction. Those low on both non-judging mindfulness and Otaku consumption showed a negative relationship between daydreaming and psychological well-being. In Study 2 (n = 104), priming of Otaku contents was employed in lieu of individual differences in Otaku consumption. Without Otaku priming, higher mindfulness revealed a positive relationship between daydreaming and life satisfaction. In addition, Otaku priming with short stimulus viewing time showed a positive relationship between daydreaming and subjective well-being (life satisfaction/positive mood). The results suggested that both contents and context of daydreaming affect well-being.

On the relationship between unprompted thought and affective well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

“…This negative association was observed for positive aspects of affective well-being (including positive affect; e.g., Crosswell et al, 2020; Miś & Kowalczyk, 2021, general well-being; e.g., Magan, 1985; Sugiura & Sugiura, 2020, and life satisfaction; Johannes et al, 2018; Mar et al, 2012) and negative aspects of affective well-being (including negative affect; Carciofo & Jiang, 2021; Franklin et al, 2013, depression; Seli et al, 2019, and anxiety; Kruger et al, 2020; Soffer-Dudek & Somer, 2018). Given evidence supporting the characterization of positive and negative affective measures as separate dimensions (Headey et al, 1984; Ryff et al, 2006), such distinction suggests that unprompted thought is implicated in changes in both dimensions of affective well-being.…”

Mind wandering and daydreaming, are they different?

“…Others use daydreaming as an umbrella term for task-unrelated thought, which MIND WANDERING AND DAYDREAMING, ARE THEY DIFFERENT? includes mind wandering (Marchetti et al, 2014; but see Sugiura & Sugiura, 2020), and still others consider these distinct non-overlapping cognitive processes (Dorsch, 2015). For those who hold that there is a difference, daydreaming is defined as the deliberate and intentional shifting of attention away from the task or activity at hand (Klinger, 1978).…”

“…Is there a difference in what kinds of thoughts come to mind when they are intrusive (mind wandering) versus when they are intentionally accessed (daydreaming)? For example, several studies have suggested that daydreaming may lead to more positive affect and improve life satisfaction (Brenner et al, 2022;Sugiura & Sugiura, 2020). However, Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010) noted in a large-scale study involving several thousand participants that a wandering mind is an unhappy mind.…”

Simulation requires activation of self-knowledge to change self-concept

“…When people daydream, approximately 70% of these momentary thoughts are about other people (Song & Wang, 2012;Sugiura & Sugiura, 2020). In thinking about others, people make inferences about what they think or feel or how they may behave (Dennett, 1990).…”