Haunted by Nightmares: Factors Associated with Nightmare Frequency and Experiences

Among undergraduate and graduate students at a small Evangelical Christian university, nightmare frequency is influenced by personality characteristics, academic background (science vs. nonscience majors), stress, anxiety, sleep quality, and beliefs about dreams and their meaning. The study examined how these factors relate to the frequency, severity, and distress from nightmares, finding that multiple variables contribute to nightmare experiences.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Previous research has reported relationships between nightmares, including nightmare frequency and variables such as gender, cognition, sleep habits and quality, and beliefs about dreams and their meaning. Using a convenience sample of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at a small Evangelical Christian university, a number of potential factors were examined for their respective influence on aspects of dream frequency and content and the typical emotional tone of dreams. Specifically, the primary goal of the present research was to examine the personality characteristics and academic background of participants on the frequency of nightmares among a cohort of college students of different academic ranks, undergraduate and graduate, and the impact of majoring in an area of science versus nonscience majors. In addition, the potential role of stress and anxiety on nightmare frequency was explored. Finally, but central to the goals of the present research, various measures of sleep quality, beliefs about the experience of dreaming, the meaning ascribed to personal dreams, and the MADRE Interactions and Uses of Dreams subscale were considered as drivers impacting the frequency, severity, and distress individuals experience when confronted with nightmares. The results, their implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed.