An Investigation of the Equivocal Relationship Between Daydreaming, Creativity and Well-Being

An extensive number of studies have been conducted on the relationship between daydreaming, creativity and well-being,with mixed results, nonetheless. Particularly, research has demonstrated both positive and negative effects of daydreamingon creativity and well-being, as well as of creativity on well-being. In addition, most studies have been conducted on adults.Therefore, the purpose of this survey-based study conducted in, Delhi University in May 2023 was to further explore therelationship among the aforesaid constructs on a sample of late adolescents. To this aim, 622 Indian were asked to completethree psychometrically validated scales. The following research hypotheses were proposed: H1) Daydreaming would be astatistically significant predictor of creativity; H2) Daydreaming would be a statistically significant predictor of overalldistress, stress, anxiety and depression; H3) There would be a statistically significant difference in daydreaming amongseverity levels of stress, anxiety and depression; H4) Creativity would be a statistically significant predictor of overall distress,stress, anxiety and depression; and H5) There would be a statistically significant difference in creativity among severity levelsof stress, anxiety and depression. Results showed that daydreaming was not a statistically significant predictor of creativity,but greater daydreaming was related to higher distress, stress, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, participants with highercreativity experienced greater anxiety. Nevertheless, creativity was not a statistically significant predictor of distress, stressand depression. Finally, participants with extremely severe depression displayed lower creativity than those with moderatedepression. Further research is advised before practical implications are recommended.