Quick summary: A study of young adults in Metro Manila found that grief over the death of a celebrity or fictional character follows a five stage pattern researchers call the PITWP model, moving from attachment through hidden mourning to eventual acceptance. Many participants hid their distress for fear of ridicule, which points to a gap in how mental health support recognises this type of loss. The findings suggest that clinicians, educators, and policymakers should treat parasocial grief as a genuine emotional response rather than dismiss it, particularly as social media keeps such attachments part of daily life.
Many people dismiss the sadness felt after a beloved celebrity dies or a fictional character meets their end, but new research suggests this reaction is far more psychologically significant than it is often given credit for. The findings were published in ISPCE Bulletin.
The study, conducted by researchers at New Era University in the Philippines, examined how young adults experience parasocial grief, the emotional distress that follows the loss of a media figure or fictional character to whom they have formed a one sided attachment. Using in depth interviews with four participants aged 18–30 in Metro Manila, the researchers identified a five stage emotional process that closely mirrors recognised patterns of grief.
The five stages, named parasocial belonging, invisible string, tear masking, woe coping, and page turning, form what the researchers call the PITWP model. The framework traces the journey from initial emotional attachment through private mourning, active coping, and eventual emotional integration.
Lead author Frances Demition said the study was intended as a starting point rather than a complete account. “This study provides a basic understanding of parasocial grief and it still requires further research and deeper development. We hope this study serves as a foundation for future research on parasocial relationships and digital forms of grief,” she said.
Participants described feeling a genuine sense of connection to media personalities and fictional characters despite having no direct personal contact with them. These attachments were often deepened by serialised storytelling formats such as K-dramas and anime, which encourage long term emotional investment in characters and their outcomes.
One of the more striking findings concerned how participants concealed their grief. Many felt unable to express their distress openly, fearing ridicule or having their feelings dismissed by others. This hidden suffering, described in the study as tear masking, was sometimes prolonged by algorithm driven social media content that repeatedly resurfaced reminders of the loss.
Coping strategies varied considerably. Some participants found comfort through personal reflection or by immersing themselves in other media, while others confided in close friends rather than seeking professional support. Few felt that formal help was accessible or appropriate for this type of loss.
Demition said future research should look more closely at what shapes the experience. “We encourage researchers to investigate the factors that may influence the intensity and duration of parasocial grief, including the type of media consumed, the level of emotional attachment to the public figure, personality traits, individual coping strategies, and the role of online communities in providing emotional support,” she said.
Despite the distress described, many participants reported that the experience ultimately led to personal growth, coming away with a clearer sense of how they process emotion and a greater awareness of the role media plays in their emotional lives. Far from being trivial, the researchers note, parasocial grief can serve as a meaningful catalyst for emotional development in young adults.
The study used a descriptive phenomenological approach, with analysis carried out through Colaizzi’s method. The researchers acknowledged limitations, including a small, predominantly female sample drawn from a single urban setting, and called for further work examining how gender, cultural background, and long term adjustment shape the experience of parasocial loss.
For Demition, the broader hope is to ease the stigma surrounding this kind of loss. “By recognising parasocial grief as a valid emotional response, mental health professionals, educators, and institutions can develop more inclusive approaches that acknowledge the evolving nature of human relationships in the digital era,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure that individuals experiencing parasocial grief feel seen, validated, and supported rather than dismissed because of the unconventional nature of their loss.”
