Learning Lucid Dreaming and its Effect on Depression in Undergraduates

Lucid dreaming can be taught through an online intervention, and it may alleviate depression, with locus of control playing a mediating role. College students completed surveys measuring dream frequency, recall, locus of control, and depression. The experimental group kept dream diaries and practiced reality checks to induce lucid dreams. Lucid dreaming frequency was directly correlated with depression. The findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for depression.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The present study tested two hypotheses: 1) that lucid dreaming could be effectively taught through an online intervention, and 2) that lucid dreaming can alleviate depression as mediated by LOC. Surveys consisting of (lucid) dream frequency and recall scales (Schredl & Erlacher, 2004; Doll, Gitter, & Holzinger, 2009), Rotter’s LOC scale (1966), and the most recent Beck Depression Index (BDI-II) were completed by college students. The experimental group was instructed to keep dream diaries throughout the whole study. Two weeks after the preliminary survey they were presented with a lucid dreaming intervention, which instructed them to practice reality checks throughout the day in order to attain lucidity at night. Lucid dreaming frequency was found to be directly correlated with depression (p < .001). Implications for therapy and suggestions for further research are suggested.