Citation

Keefer LA, Brown FL, Rothschild ZK, Allen K. Omega (Westport) 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Sage Publications)

DOI

10.1177/00302228221085173

PMID

35430912

Abstract

Research in Terror Management Theory finds that close interpersonal relationships (e.g., parents, romantic partners) mitigate threat reactions to reminders of mortality. Parasocial relationships (imagined relationships with media personalities) afford many of the same benefits as interpersonal relationships. Do these benefits extend to mortality concerns? We investigated whether those with strong parasocial attachments were differentially influenced by reminders of death.

RESULTS showed that those with strong parasocial relationships had more defensive reactions to a mortality prime, suggesting that such attachments may not afford the same existential benefits given by close human others and may instead indicate a heightened vulnerability.

Language: en

Keywords

parasocial relationships; psychological threat; terror management theory