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Cited by 11Child and Animal Learning DevelopmentSocial Representations and IdentityChildren's Rights and Participation

Reconceptualizing imaginary friends: interdisciplinary approaches for understanding invisible companions

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Adams, Kate, Stanford, Emma, Singh, Harpreet·2022·Journal of Childhood Studies
DOI 10.18357/jcs202220569
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Abstract

Imaginary friends or invisible companions are common features of cross-cultural childhoods. Research is primarily located in developmental psychology, where invisible companions are considered part of imaginary play. We argue for a reconceptualization of the core phenomenon, to one of regularly interacting with a person who is not normally perceptible to others, instead of uncritically adopting the dominant Euro-Western ontology of imagination. Analyzing the central experience through other branches of psychology, anthropology, religion, and spirituality shows that different fields are potentially discussing the same phenomenon, albeit obscured by disciplinary boundaries. We outline some implications of this new approach for the development of childhood studies.

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Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. Adams, K. (2020). Spirituality in childhood studies: Encounters with imaginary friends and angels. Childhood Remixed Journal. 7(1), 46–58. https://www.uos.ac.uk/sites/www.uos.ac.uk/files/Childhood%20Remixed_%20Journal_2020.pdf
  2. Hallowell, M. (2007). Invizikids: The curious enigma of “imaginary” childhood friends. Heart of Albion Press.
  3. Hart, T. (2004). The mystical child: Glimpsing the spiritual world of children. Encounter: Education for Meaning and Social Justice, 17(2), 38–49.
  4. Hart, T., & Zellars, E. (2006). When imaginary companions are sources of wisdom. Encounter: Education for Meaning and Social Justice, 19(1), 6–15.
  5. Little, C., Laythe, B., & Houran, J. (2021). Quali-quantitative comparison of childhood imaginary companions and ghostly episodes. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 85(1), 1–30.
  6. Steenkamp, L. R., Tiemeier, H., Blanken, L. M. E., Hillegers, M. H. J., Kushner, S. A., & Bolhuis, K. (2021). Predicting persistence of hallucinations from childhood to adolescence. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 219(6), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2021.11 · DOI
  7. Adams, K., Stanford, E., & Singh, H. (2022). Reconceptualizing Imaginary Friends: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Understanding Invisible Companions. Journal of Childhood Studies, 32–49. https://doi.org/10.18357/jcs202220569
  8. Vol. 47 No. 2 (2022): Journal of Childhood Studies

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Authors
Adams, K., Stanford, E., & Singh, H.
Affiliations
Leeds Trinity University (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Childhood Studies
Publisher
University of Victoria Libraries
Published
2022-10-14
Pages
32-49
ISSN
  • 2371-4107 (ISSN-L)
  • 2371-4115
DOI
10.18357/jcs202220569
OpenAlex
W4306377349
Cited by
10
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1
FWCI
2.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Childhood Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Érudit (Université de Montréal) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Social Representations and Identity
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Children's Rights and Participation
Keywords
imaginary friends, pretend play, childhood, spirituality, interdisciplinary perspectives, childhood studies

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