Reliability and Stability of a Dream Recall Frequency Scale
Perceptual and Motor Skills June 1, 2004 DOI: 10.2466/pms.98.3c.1422-1426 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 7-point Dream Recall Frequency scale shows high retest reliability in a sample of 198 patients with sleep disorders (115 women, 83 men; average age 45.8 years). When the scale is embedded in a general sleep questionnaire without explicitly directing attention to dream recall, the previously observed increase in reported dream recall due to measurement does not occur. The scale is well suited for reliably measuring stable differences in how often people recall dreams.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 198 |
| Population | Patients with sleep disorders |
| Key finding | The Dream Recall Frequency scale has high retest reliability when presented within a general sleep questionnaire, and does not artificially inflate reported dream recall. |
Abstract
Dream recall frequency varies widely between people as well as within individuals. To explore the relationship between dream recall frequency and trait variables such as personality dimensions, a measure of stable interindividual differences is necessary. In the present study ( N = 198 patients with sleep disorders; 115 women, 83 men; M age = 45.8 ± 15.3 yr.) a high retest reliability of the 7-point Dream Recall Frequency scale developed by Schredl in 2002a was found. If the participants' focus was not directed explicitly towards dream recall when the scale was presented within a general sleep questionnaire, the hitherto-reported increase of dream recall due to measuring dream recall frequency did not occur. In conclusion, the present scale is well suited for measuring interindividual differences in dream recall frequency reliably.