A Review of Imaginary Companions and Prospects of Research on Adolescents and Adults
Psychology of China January 1, 2023 Mi Jiawen, Jia Peiyu
Imaginary companions—unseen characters or objects children name and interact with—have been studied since the early 1900s and are common among children. Recent international research shows that a notable proportion of adolescents and adults also experience imaginary companions. This review covers the concept and prior research, examines the feasibility and value of studying imaginary companions in older age groups, introduces a new form called tulpa found in adolescents and adults, and outlines future research directions.