Peter Pan Syndrome: Symptoms , Causes and Facts
                     PETER PAN 
SYNDROME: 
SYMPTOMS, 
CAUSES, AND FACTS
What is Peter Pan 
Syndrome?
Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist James 
Matthew Barrie in the early 1900s. His character is one of a care-
free young boy, who never grows up.
It is said that people who develop similar behaviours of living life 
carefree, finding responsibilities challenging in adulthood, and 
basically, “never growing up” suffer from Peter Pan Syndrome.
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Why in News?
Recently, a special court in Mumbai granted bail to an accused of 
sexually assaulting a minor as he was suffering from Peter Pan 
Syndrome (PPS).
A syndrome is a combination of symptoms and signs that together 
represent a disease process.
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Psychological condition
PPS is a psychological condition that is used to describe an adult 
who is socially immature.
People who develop similar behaviours of living life carefree, 
finding responsibilities challenging in adulthood, and basically 
never growing up suffer from PPS.
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From where the term 
coined?
The term was coined by psychologist Dan Kiley to explain the 
behaviour of such men who ‘refuse to grow’ and behave their age 
in 1983.
Dan Kiley got the idea of PPS after noticing Peter Pan, a fictional 
character created by Scottish novelist James Matthew Barrie.
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WHO does not recognise 
Peter Pan 
While the WHO (World Health Organization) does not recognise 
Peter Pan Syndrome as a health disorder, many experts believe it 
is a mental health condition that can affect one’s quality of life.
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Symptoms of Peter Pan 
Syndrome
As Peter Pan Syndrome hasn’t officially been diagnosed as a health 
disorder, there aren’t clearly-defined symptoms or characteristics 
or even reasons which cause it. 
However, according to HealthLine, it could affect one’s daily 
routine, relationships, work ethic, and result in attitudinal changes.
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Who can be affected?
It can affect anyone, irrespective of gender, race or culture. 
However, it appears to be more common among men.
It affects people who do not want or feel unable to grow up, people 
with the body of an adult but the mind of a child.
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Wendy Syndrome
The Psychologist who defined PPS also used the term Wendy 
Syndrome (WS) to describe women who act like mothers with their 
partners or people close to them.
People suffering from WS are often seen making decisions, tidying 
up messes, and offering one-sided emotional support.
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Psychopathology
It is not currently considered a psychopathology. However, a large 
number of adults are presenting emotionally immature behaviors 
in Western society.
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