This Is What Parasocial Relationships Mean; Psychologists Explain If They Are Healthy

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Are parasocial relationships healthy?

The timing of “parasocial” being chosen as the word of the year could not be better than this era, when real human connections are lacking and loneliness has gripped the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every six people worldwide feels lonely and lacks real, trustworthy human relationships. But what do parasocial relationships mean in this situation, and are they healthy?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, parasocial relationships cannot be truly defined as healthy or unhealthy; it mostly depends on your mental health. If you are in a good emotional state, this phenomenon is fine, but during a bad phase, it can drain your emotional strength. Dr. Shree explains, “Parasocial relationships can be healthy when they give comfort, inspiration, or positive feelings without replacing real-life connections.” She further adds, “It turns into unhealthy relationships when a person depends too much on this one-sided bond for emotional support, begins to ignore real relationships, or feels strong jealousy or sadness when the influencer does not respond.”

Dr Chandni Tugnait underlines, “Because the connection is not reciprocal, individuals may idealize the figure or depend on the imagined bond for emotional regulation. This can distort expectations in real relationships and deepen a sense of isolation.”

Psychology Behind Parasocial Relationships

“The psychology behind parasocial relationships comes from how our brains naturally form emotional bonds when we see someone repeatedly, hear their voice, and learn personal details, even if the person is on a screen and not physically present,” explains Dr Shree. “Social media increases this effect by showing daily routines, personal stories, and direct messages, which create an illusion of closeness, making the viewer feel understood even without any real interaction.” Dr. Tugnait mentions, “When someone repeatedly consumes a creator’s or celebrity’s content, the mind begins treating that presence as known, activating the same neural pathways involved in real relationships. This creates a sense of comfort and emotional closeness, even though the bond is one-sided.” “People assign ideal qualities to the public figure, turning the parasocial relationship into a reflection of their own desires. It feels safe because it demands nothing in return, yet it cannot replace the emotional nourishment of real, reciprocal relationships,” she further adds. Modern research shows that parasocial relationships are sometimes formed due to loneliness, resonance from the public figure’s life story, a lack of real-life bonds, and isolation. This creates a space where watching someone online, or reading about the personality or character, helps you feel connected. With time, it leads you to deep-diving into their personal and professional life, making you first their fan and later obsessed with their choices, work, and life.

Parasocial Relationships As a Coping Mechanism

In many cases, parasocial relationships also work as a coping mechanism because they provide emotional comfort, stability, and a sense of connection during stressful or lonely times, even though the relationship is one-sided. According to Dr. Tugnait, parasocial relationships often act as a coping mechanism because they offer emotional comfort without the complexity of real-world interactions. “When someone follows a celebrity, influencer, or fictional character they admire, it can make them feel less alone and give them a safe place to escape from real-life worries,” Dr Shree states.