• The General Mental Health Forum is now a Read Only Forum. As we had two large areas making it difficult for many to find, we decided to combine the Mental Health & the Recovery sections of the forum into Mental Health & Recovery as a whole. Physical Health still remains as it's own area within the entire Recovery area.

    If you are having struggles, need support in a particular area that you aren't finding a specific recovery area forum, you may find the General Struggles forum a great place to post. Any any that is related to emotions, self-esteem, insomnia, anger, relationship dynamics due to mental health and recovery and other issues that don't fit better in another forum would be examples of topics that might go there.

    If you have spiritual issues related to a mental health and recovery issue, please use the Recovery Related Spiritual Advice forum. This forum is designed to be like Christian Advice, only for recovery type of issues. Recovery being like a family in many ways, allows us to support one another together. May you be blessed today and each day.

    Kristen.NewCreation and FreeinChrist

What Are Parasocial Relationships—And Are They Healthy?

Michie

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I’m posting this as we have been experiencing mental health issues with my sister with this issue being one of her many problems. I thought it would be helpful to put the topic of parasocial relationships her for reference if anyone needs it.

Table of Contents​


This rising popularity of social media has given people instant access to celebrities, influencers and political figures—and at times, this access can feel as much a part of our lives as attending school or clocking in at a job.

According to data from Pew Research Center in 2021, 72% of Americans used some type of social media, compared to just 5% when they started tracking these habits in 2005[1]. With just a few taps to a screen, users can now tune into live streams, watch videos, scroll images and view commentary from personalities they may otherwise never have access to.

For some, this exposure may result in the development of parasocial relationships, or one-sided bonds with public figures. Read on for more about these relationships, including their root causes, potential risks and advice for steering clear of them.

What Is a Parasocial Relationship?​



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