A Study of Individual differences on Dream Recall: Influence of stressful life events and big five personality traits on dream recall frequency
January 1, 2012 Chie Suzuki, Eiko Matsuda
Stressors and personality traits interact to influence how often university students recall dreams and the emotions associated with those dreams. Stressors increase recall of sad, anxious, and unpleasant dreams. Neuroticism is linked to more frequent recall of sad, anxious, strange, and unpleasant dreams and less recall of pleasant dreams. Extraversion is associated with fewer nightmares and more pleasant dream recall. Agreeableness correlates with fewer nightmares but more unpleasant dream recall. The authors suggest that mental support tailored to personality traits may help prevent harmful aftereffects of negative dream recall.