It is interesting to think about the many ways we seek connection, understanding, and belonging in a world where many of our interactions happen online, in some capacity or another.
These connections can turn into what is called a parasocial relationship. But what is a parasocial relationship, exactly? It is a one-sided emotional bond to someone you do not personally know, such as a content creator, musician, sportscaster, podcast host, athlete, or fictional character.
Connecting through parasocial relationships has become a modern world phenomenon. We may feel comforted by the sound of their voice, by reading their greatest adventure, or soothed when we hear their music.
Why These Bonds Feel So Real
Parasocial relationships provide emotional attachment because you genuinely care for that person on a personal level. These emotional bonds are multifaceted because they are one-sided, yet they provide real and sometimes intense feelings. These bonds can form because of common interests, moral or religious values, or because that individual (and their content) helped you through a tough time in life. These relationships provide a sense of familiarity, inspiration, comfort, and even emotional influence or expression. Parasocial relationships can help co-regulate our nervous system through a felt sense of safety and relational belonging.
A Unique Purpose for Neurodivergent People
For neurodivergent people, those with anxiety, ADHD, and autism, parasocial relationships can serve a unique purpose. Social interactions can sometimes feel exhausting, unpredictable, and difficult to navigate in this population. Having felt relational safety with a content creator or a fictional character may offer a sense of connection without the pressure of reciprocating in real time. They allow space to enjoy a personal relationship without the pressure of interpreting unspoken social cues and rules when capacity is low.
Belonging, Identity, and Representation
For people who experience either real or perceived social rejection, masking, and feeling misunderstood, these connections can also provide space to explore different aspects of their identity. Some neurodivergent people may also develop a particularly meaningful connection to specific characters or content creators who share a special interest of theirs. This can allow them to feel included and also represented. Seeing someone who shares similar experiences, interests, and emotional expression can be very validating and empowering too!
Parasocial relationships remind us that the need to feel connected is deeply human. Whether the bond is with someone we know personally or someone whose voice, story, or music has carried us through a hard season, these connections can offer real comfort, safety, and belonging. For neurodivergent people especially, they can be a gentle way to experience connection at your own pace and on your own terms. There is no shame in finding meaning in these relationships. They are simply one more way we reach for one another and remember that we are not alone.
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This blog post was written by Elizabeth Neal.
This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct professional advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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