Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, Vol 13(3), Sep 2026, 353-370; doi:10.1037/cns0000403
The present study aims to explore the influence of ghosting and stress on maladaptive daydreaming and vulnerable narcissism within a multivariate framework, using mindfulness and rumination as mediators. We employed a cross-sectional design and conducted it among 301 university students (Mage = 20.07; SDage = 1.83) in Vietnam. The study utilized the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale, Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, Rumination Response Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Ghosting Questionnaire. A multivariate structural equation model was utilized for the analysis. The findings indicated that both stress and ghosting positively influenced maladaptive daydreaming and vulnerable narcissism. Mindfulness and rumination were identified as mediators of the influence of stress and ghosting on vulnerable narcissism, while only mindfulness served as a mediator of the influence of stress and ghosting on maladaptive daydreaming. These findings highlight significant implications for alleviating the adverse effects of stress and ghosting on maladaptive daydreaming and vulnerable narcissism through mindfulness interventions and educational support programs. However, the study’s design limitations pose challenges in establishing causal conclusions. This suggests the need for more robust designs, such as longitudinal and experimental studies, to test the relationships and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)