People perceive parasocial relationships to be effective at fulfilling emotional needs

“Although strong two-sided relationships were consistently seen as the closest, most responsive, and most effective relationship type for fulfilling emotional needs, we found that people consider a strong PSR—someone they have never met (e.g., YouTube creator, a celebrity) and who may not even exist (e.g., fictional character)—as closer, and more effective at fulfilling their emotional needs than an acquaintance they interact with dyadically (i.e., their weak two-sided relationship).”

Lotun, S., Lamarche, V.M., Matran-Fernandez, A. et al. People perceive parasocial relationships to be effective at fulfilling emotional needs. Sci Rep 14, 8185 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58069-9

#OpenAccess #OA #Research #Article #DOI #Psychology #SocialMedia #Youtube #Emotions #Relationships #Academia #Academic #Academics @psychology