The literature surrounding parasocial relationships (PSRs) has been expansive but lacks the perspective of how parasocial relationships can impact the media figure in certain contexts, specifically in regard to Twitch livestreamers and their communities. Previous research has examined how PSRs fulfill certain roles in the individual’s life, as well as some aspects that affect the relationship, such as the strength and development of the relationship. Previous research has concluded that stronger PSRs can develop from livestreaming platforms such as Twitch. This study investigates the relationship between Twitch livestreamers and PSRs. Through semi-structured interviews with seven participants, this study finds the PSR can impact a livestreamers social life, well-being, and their career, as well as cognitive dissonance likely being another factor resulting from the relationship. This paper proposes a scale to measure the impacts of PSRs on media figures for further research in this area of research.
","abstract_html":"<p>The literature surrounding parasocial relationships (PSRs) has been expansive but lacks the perspective of how parasocial relationships can impact the media figure in certain contexts, specifically in regard to Twitch livestreamers and their communities. Previous research has examined how PSRs fulfill certain roles in the individual’s life, as well as some aspects that affect the relationship, such as the strength and development of the relationship. Previous research has concluded that stronger PSRs can develop from livestreaming platforms such as Twitch. This study investigates the relationship between Twitch livestreamers and PSRs. Through semi-structured interviews with seven participants, this study finds the PSR can impact a livestreamers social life, well-being, and their career, as well as cognitive dissonance likely being another factor resulting from the relationship. This paper proposes a scale to measure the impacts of PSRs on media figures for further research in this area of research.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Adamian, Ashley"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Communication - Communication Studies Track","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"Communication Department","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Dr. Kisun Kim","Dr. Tiffany Mcbride","Dr. Adam Bova"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2024,"date_issued":"2024-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2024-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:44:41Z","subjects":["Parasocial relationships","Cognitive dissonance","Social media","Content Creators","Twitch","Livestreaming.","Communication","Communication Technology and New Media","Other Communication"],"languages":["english"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/520","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Dr. Kisun Kim","Dr. Tiffany Mcbride","Dr. Adam Bova"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Adamian, Ashley"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2024-05-21T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Communication Department"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Communication - Communication Studies Track"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Parasocial relationships","Cognitive dissonance","Social media","Content Creators","Twitch","Livestreaming.","Communication","Communication Technology and New Media","Other Communication"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["english"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/520"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The literature surrounding parasocial relationships (PSRs) has been expansive but lacks the perspective of how parasocial relationships can impact the media figure in certain contexts, specifically in regard to Twitch livestreamers and their communities. Previous research has examined how PSRs fulfill certain roles in the individual’s life, as well as some aspects that affect the relationship, such as the strength and development of the relationship. Previous research has concluded that stronger PSRs can develop from livestreaming platforms such as Twitch. This study investigates the relationship between Twitch livestreamers and PSRs. Through semi-structured interviews with seven participants, this study finds the PSR can impact a livestreamers social life, well-being, and their career, as well as cognitive dissonance likely being another factor resulting from the relationship. This paper proposes a scale to measure the impacts of PSRs on media figures for further research in this area of research.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["The Parasocial Experiences of Twitch Streamers"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Dr. Kisun Kim","Dr. Tiffany Mcbride","Dr. Adam Bova"],"dc:creator":["Adamian, Ashley"],"dc:date.available":["2024-05-21T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["The literature surrounding parasocial relationships (PSRs) has been expansive but lacks the perspective of how parasocial relationships can impact the media figure in certain contexts, specifically in regard to Twitch livestreamers and their communities. Previous research has examined how PSRs fulfill certain roles in the individual’s life, as well as some aspects that affect the relationship, such as the strength and development of the relationship. Previous research has concluded that stronger PSRs can develop from livestreaming platforms such as Twitch. This study investigates the relationship between Twitch livestreamers and PSRs. Through semi-structured interviews with seven participants, this study finds the PSR can impact a livestreamers social life, well-being, and their career, as well as cognitive dissonance likely being another factor resulting from the relationship. This paper proposes a scale to measure the impacts of PSRs on media figures for further research in this area of research.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/520"],"dc:language":["english"],"dc:subject":["Parasocial relationships","Cognitive dissonance","Social media","Content Creators","Twitch","Livestreaming.","Communication","Communication Technology and New Media","Other Communication"],"dc:title":["The Parasocial Experiences of Twitch Streamers"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Communication Department"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Communication - Communication Studies Track"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:44:41Z"}