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The impact of early-life maltreatment on dreams of patients with insomnia

Valérie Schäfer, Klaus Bader

heiDOK (Heidelberg University) 2009 DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2009.1.143 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational cohort Longitudinal Peer reviewed
Sample size 37
Population Adults suffering from primary insomnia
Duration Seven consecutive days
Topics Dreaming PTSD
Keywords Dream Aggression Content measure theory Stressor Clinical psychology Developmental psychology Psychotherapist
Citations 6
Key findings Childhood maltreatment experiences predicted less positive dream emotions, more negative self-description in dreams, and more aggression directed at the dreamer, even when current stressors were considered.

Abstract

Summary. There is ample evidence that bad dreams and post-traumatic nightmares are a common consequence of exposure to traumatic events both among children and adults. The aim of the present study was to examine to what extent early-life maltreatment experiences are associated with dreams even many years later in adulthood. 37 patients suffering from primary insomnia recorded their dreams for seven consecutive days at home, and completed self-report questionnaires assessing both childhood trauma and current level of stress. Dream content analyses were carried out. Even in consideration of current stressors which also were related to dream content, childhood maltreatment experiences proved to be important predictors of less positive dream emotions, more negative self-description in dream, and more aggression directed at the dreamer. These findings are consistent with the results of other studies indicating that traumatic events can have strong and long-lasting effects on dream emotions and dream content. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify how and why dreams develop over time as a consequence of traumatic experiences.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on PTSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Using Low Doses in a Small Sample of Women with Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Women with chronic PTSD secondary to sexual assault 2008 Observational cohort n = 6
An Ambulatory Polysomnography Study of the Post-traumatic Nightmares of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment-seeking veterans, current serving military members, and emergency service... 2017 Observational study using ambulatory polysomnography n = 35
Increased Mastery Elements Associated With Imagery Rehearsal Treatment for Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors With PTSD. Female sexual assault survivors with chronic nightmares 2004 Observational cohort n = 44
Posttraumatic stress symptoms following near-death experiences. Persons who report near-death experiences and those who came close to death without NDEs 2001 Observational study
Impact of oral ketamine augmentation on hospital admissions in treatment-resistant depression and PTSD: a retrospective study. Outpatients with treatment-resistant depression and PTSD 2018 Retrospective review n = 37

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Dreaming PTSD