Prevalence of Imaginary Companions in Children: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Having an imaginary companion (IC) is a fascinating example of children's imaginative and pretend play.However, there are inconsistencies in the reported prevalence of children's ICs.This study examined how culture may affect this prevalence.We conducted a meta-analysis to assess whether the culture as well as age, assessment method, sex, and birth order may affect the prevalence of ICs in studies that included children under 12 years of age.The results revealed that culture as well as assessment method and sex/birth order may have a significant impact on the prevalence of ICs.Specifically, children in Western cultures were more likely to report invisible friends as compared to those in Japan, but the total prevalence of ICs did not differ across cultures.We illustrate several implications for future research on ICs.

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