A prospective study of nightmare disorder among Chinese adults in Hong Kong: Persistence and mental health outcomes.
Behavioral Sleep Medicine January 1, 2024 Stanley Kam Ki Lam, Cherry Tin Yan Cheung, Edward K S Wang et al.
Nightmare disorder often persists over time and is linked to broader mental health problems. In a longitudinal study of 230 Hong Kong Chinese adults assessed twice over about six months, two-thirds (66.7%) of those with probable nightmare disorder at the start still met diagnostic criteria at follow-up. Those with the disorder were far more likely to screen positive for PTSD (82.1% vs. 18.3%) and used mental health services more often. Greater nightmare severity at baseline predicted worse subsequent self-rated mental health, lower self-esteem, and more PTSD symptoms. The findings suggest nightmare disorder is not merely a transient symptom but a persistent condition with public health implications.