The Effects of Celebrity Worship Syndrome on One’s Wellbeing

Abstract

The term “celebrity worship” was first coined by researchers Lynn E. McCutcheon and John Maltby. Their 2003 study, a clinical interpretation of the attitudes and behaviors associated with celebrity worship, used the Celebrity Attitude Scale and the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire to categorize celebrity worship syndrome. (“Celebrity Worship Syndrome and its Impact on Teens - Newport

Academy”) The researchers found that idolizing celebrities is a normal part of adolescent stage, because about everyone has a celebrity crush as a teen. It’s a way to safely experience what it means to have romantic and sexual feelings for someone, without having to deal with the ramifications of a real relationship. But when fandom crosses over into celebrity worship syndrome, the researchers found, it can be an indicator of a teen mental health issue.