我が国の心理臨床における夢に関する調査研究の概観

Abstract

Dreams have been considered clinically significant. Research on dreams can be broadly classified into case and survey studies. This study focuses on survey studies on dreams in clinical psychology in Japan, taking a general view of them. It also focuses on the heterogeneity of images, which is one perspective on perceiving images, and discusses the significance of examining the heterogeneity of dreams through an overview of survey studies on dreams and the heterogeneity of images. Survey research on dreams has primarily been classified into five areas: dream content, dream recall, dream emotions, dream structure, and dream engagement. This paper summarizes the findings that have emerged from studies on each of these areas. First, some studies on dream content have grasped the themes and aspects of dream content and examined their relationship with personal characteristics. Second, studies on dream recall have included various perspectives, including relationships with personality traits, emotions, sensory experiences in dreams, differences among dreamers, and attitudes toward dreams. Third, studies on dream emotions have suggested that both positive and negative emotions can be experienced in dreams, and various hypotheses have been proposed regarding the relationship between emotions in dreams and emotions in daily situations. Research on dream structure suggests a relationship between differences in mentality for each age group and differences in dream structure. Studies on engagement with dreams have examined attitudes toward dreams, various perspectives on dreams, and ways to engage with dreams. Heterogeneity is one perspective on dream perception. With its emphasis on imagery, Jungian psychology, in particular, has provided an interpretive lens for examining heterogeneity. Several studies have focused on the heterogeneity of sandplay, similar to dreams. These studies examined the heterogeneity arising within the relationship between the sandplay image and its creator, and how this heterogeneity is involved. Several discussions in clinical psychology have focused on heterogeneity, and have concluded that being aware of and engaging with heterogeneity is important for the self. However, while heterogeneity possesses positive aspects for the self, it can also lead to negative feelings toward the self. Nevertheless, to achieve personal growth and self-understanding, it is considered necessary to face heterogeneity, which includes negative aspects, without turning away from them. Moreover, images such as dreams and sandplay contain unconscious aspects. Therefore, examining these aspects could deepen our understanding of personal growth from an unconscious perspective. However, only a few studies have focused on the heterogeneity of dreams. Therefore, to advance research in the field, this will be a necessary area of focus. In particular, factors should be examined that give rise to the heterogeneity of dreams and the psychological processes that occur after perceiving this heterogeneity. It is hoped that this examination, will help advance self-understanding and personal growth.