Maladaptive daydreaming and deliberate mind-wandering: a systematic review of psychopathological associations in adults

Abstract This review systematically examines quantitative studies that investigate the associations of maladaptive daydreaming (MD) and deliberate mind-wandering (MW) with psychopathology in adults. The Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases were searched on 19 December 2023 using relevant keywords, with no date restrictions, and limited to English-language studies involving adults and at least one validated measure of psychopathology. Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. A formal risk-of-bias assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), although no protocol registration was undertaken. Across 23 MD and 10 deliberate MW studies, correlations with psychopathology were typically of weak to moderate strength ( r = .05–.46). Dissociation ( r = .30–.62) was most frequently examined in relation to MD, whereas ADHD symptoms (typically showing no correlation) and OCD symptoms (ranging from no correlation to r = .19) were most frequently assessed in relation to deliberate MW. Evidence suggests partially distinct association profiles for MD and deliberate MW; however, conclusions are limited by the cross-sectional designs.