Changes in dream features across the first and second waves of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Journal of Sleep Research February 1, 2022 Francesca Conte, Marissa Lynn Rescott, Oreste De Rosa et al.
During Italy's total lockdown in April 2020, about 30% of 1,622 participants reported increased dream frequency, length, and vividness, while roughly 20% reported decreases. Dream affect became significantly more negative compared to the month before lockdown. During the partial lockdown in November 2020, 214 of the same participants showed similar patterns, with negative dream affect again increasing significantly. In both lockdowns, worsened sleep quality predicted increased negative dream emotionality, which in turn predicted changes in dream frequency, length, and vividness. Between lockdowns, negative dream affect returned almost to baseline, suggesting dream emotionality is closely tied to lifestyle and waking emotional changes.