Fangirling is a term we often hear, usually paired with images of screaming teenagers, tear-streaked cheeks at concerts, or hours spent scrolling through Instagram edits of favourite celebrities. We dismiss fangirling as “just a phase”, overlooking its real, rooted function.
What if we tell you that psychologists would suggest otherwise? Some of the most powerful psychological theories deeply explain the phenomenon of fangirling among teenagers. It plays a massive role in the emotional and psychological world of today’s teens.
Let’s dive deep into the psychology behind why teenagers fangirl, exploring four key psychological theories that explain this global phenomenon :
Parasocial Relationships: One-Sided Bonds That Feel Real
In 1956, Richard Wohl and Donald Horton defined parasocial relationships as one-sided bonds where individuals feel deep connection, intimacy, or familiarity with someone they don’t actually know, typically celebrities or media personalities. These relationships exist only in the mind of the individual, who experiences a bond despite the lack of reciprocity.
Horton and Wohl coined the term when televisions became widely available. The researchers noticed that TV viewers began to develop the “illusion of intimacy” with the characters on the screen. Although parasocial relationships are inherently imaginary, they can feel real for the person experiencing them. An individual may see in, or project onto, a celebrity a range of emotions that mirror their own feelings and challenges.
There is no firm conclusion regarding why people develop parasocial relationships, but one is that the human brain is developed to be social. Spending so much time online or watching TV and movies naturally inclines us to recognize familiar faces and develop warm feelings toward them. Another possible cause is loneliness. Some research suggests that the lonelier an individual feels, the more likely they are to engage in parasocial relationships, seeking a connection in some form, even if not in real life.
According to a study on early adult K-pop fangirling, these emotional bonds can deeply influence how teens process validation and identity. Teenagers are in the most emotionally vulnerable stage of their life. A celebrity’s consistent presence, predictable behavior, and public kindness help teens feel understood. Even though the relationship is one-sided, it feels authentic.
Attachment Theory: Emotional Safety in a Chaotic World
Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby and expanded by Mary Ainsworth, states that our early emotional bonds with caregivers influence how we seek and form relationships later in life. Emotionally reliable figures often attract individuals with insecure attachments, whether conscious or avoidant.
Bowlby viewed attachment as a product of evolutionary processes. While behavioural theories suggested that attachment was a learned process, Bowlby proposed that children are born with an innate drive to form attachments with caregivers. Throughout history, children who maintained proximity to an attachment figure were more likely to receive comfort and protection and, therefore, more likely to survive to adulthood.
Hence, when secure bonds are absent, teens may substitute these with idealized consistent figures, like celebrities. A teenager who doesn’t feel seen or validated at home might find the validation through their favourite public figure. The celeb, through interviews or quotes, offers the warmth and consistency that’s lacking in real life.
Fangirling as Escapism: Finding Comfort in Fantasy
Escapism refers to the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities by engaging in fantasy, entertainment or imagination. While escapism can be maladaptive when it causes a person to avoid all responsibility, adaptive escapism helps teens manage stress by offering mental breaks and emotional relief.
Fangirling, in this context, becomes a gentle escape. An imaginative world that allows teenagers to detach from academic stress, social pressure, or family issues. Teens immerse themselves in their favourite idol’s content to regulate their emotions. Whether it’s editing a reel, daydreaming about a fictional interaction, or just playing a playlist on repeat — these moments create a psychological safe space.
Escapism provides fans a more desirable state of being than the one presently experienced by them or the reality. These experiences allow fans to break away from unwanted social realities, even if temporarily.
Social Identity Theory: Belonging to Something Bigger
Proposed by Tajfel and Turner in 1979, social identity theory explains how individuals define themselves based on their group memberships, such as nationality, religion, or social class. It suggests that people derive a sense of pride and self-esteem from the groups they belong to.
It helps us understand why group membership is so powerful in shaping human behaviour and intergroup relations. Social identity groups can give you a sense of belonging, purpose, self-worth, and identity.
In the teenage years, when identity formation is at its peak, belonging to a fandom can provide structure, values, and social belonging. Fandoms act as families. A fan becomes part of a tribe where shared love for a celebrity connects people across cultures. Teens who feel isolated at school or home often find their tribe online. And that changes everything.
Fangirling is a Deeper Connection Worth Understanding
Fangirling is far more than youthful obsession — it’s a psychological mirror reflecting what many teens long for : connection, safety, creativity, and community.
Well-studied emotional and social behaviours form the roots of these attachments, offering comfort zones for self-expression.
It’s not about losing touch with reality, but about finding new ways to navigate it. Whether it’s coping with stress, building identity, or simply feeling less alone, teenagers are telling us something through their fandoms.
And we should pay attention.
For more such insightful stories, stay tuned with The World Times!
This was such a beautifully written piece! The article captured the essence of fangirling in such a heartfelt and validating way. It’s so refreshing to see this perspective — that it’s more than just a ‘phase’ but a genuine connection that shapes emotions, identity, and even growth.
It’s a Beautifully explained article. It doesn’t only navigate the emotional aspect of fangirling but also explains the logic behind it, citing credible sources.
This is a fantastic article that thoughtfully delves into the psychology behind fangirling. It captures the emotional depth, personal connection, and social dynamics involved in a way that feels both insightful and relatable.