Traumatic events bring an increased need for social connection but paradoxically can make relationships more difficult. The current research examines the unique role social surrogates such as favorite TV shows, books, and celebrities may play in fulfilling the social needs of people who have experienced trauma. Across two studies we predicted and found that experiencing traumatic events is associated with higher interest in using social surrogates. Furthermore, individuals who have experienced trauma without developing PTSD are able to effectively use social surrogates to combat social isolation. However, perhaps because PTSD symptoms often are associated with impaired social functioning, those with PTSD actually feel worse after social surrogate use. Implications for trauma, PTSD, social surrogates, and social self research are discussed.

中文翻译：

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在那些遭受创伤的人中使用社交替代品：我在（虚构的）朋友的帮助下度过了难关。


创伤事件增加了对社交联系的需求，但矛盾的是，它也会使人际关系变得更加困难。目前的研究探讨了社会代理人（例如最喜欢的电视节目、书籍和名人）在满足经历过创伤的人的社会需求方面可能发挥的独特作用。在两项研究中，我们预测并发现，经历创伤事件与使用社交代理人的更高兴趣相关。此外，经历过创伤但未患上创伤后应激障碍的人能够有效地利用社会替代品来对抗社会孤立。然而，也许因为 PTSD 症状通常与社会功能受损有关，患有 PTSD 的人在使用社交替代品后实际上感觉更糟。讨论了对创伤、创伤后应激障碍、社会替代者和社会自我研究的影响。