Relationships between maladaptive daydreaming, addiction tendency and executive functions

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is an intense and uncontrollable tendency to engage in immersive daydreaming that replaces daily activities and causes problems in social, occupational, and academic domains. In this study, the relationships between MD, addiction tendency, and executive functions were investigated. The study sample consists of 77 university students aged between 19-25 (63 females and 14 males). This study consists of two parts: online and face-to-face. In the first phase, participants volunteered to participate in the research online and completed the Demographic Information Form, Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16), Addiction Profile Index Internet Addiction Form (APIINT), Addiction Profile Index Risk Screening Form (APIRSF) Alcohol and Drug Forms. Then, participants were divided into two groups, maladaptive daydreamers and non-maladaptive daydreamers, according to the scores obtained from the MDS-16 scale, and invited to the second phase of the research. Data were collected through face-to-face applications using the Stroop Test TBAG Form and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Correlation analyses revealed a significant and positive relationship between MD and internet addiction. Regression analysis revealed internet addiction scores predict MD scores. The main effect of the MD groups on addiction tendency and executive functions was examined with MANOVA. According to the analysis, the MD group factor only had a significant impact on internet addiction. This result partially confirms the main hypothesis of the research. The findings of the study were discussed in the light of relevant literature. Finally, the study's contributions, strengths, and limitations are evaluated, and suggestions for future research were made