1057 Trauma-Related Sleep Processes and Mental Health: The Roles of Dream Self-Efficacy and Nightmare Distress

Lower dream self-efficacy (DSE; the perceived ability to manage or influence dream experiences) and heightened nightmare distress (NM distress) both independently predicted more severe PTSD symptoms and more suicidal thoughts in a trauma-exposed sample of 30 adults. Lower DSE alone predicted greater insomnia severity. The findings suggest that confidence in managing dreams and distress from nightmares contribute separately to posttraumatic outcomes, with dream self-efficacy playing a particular role in sleep disturbances.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Both heightened nightmare (NM) distress, intense negative emotional reactions to nightmares, and low dream self-efficacy (DSE; the perceived ability to manage or influence dream experiences), are understudied contributors to posttraumatic functioning. Individuals with lower DSE shows increased suicide risk in trauma survivors and may increase emotional disturbances during sleep, while NM distress is strongly linked to daytime impairment and suicide risk. Despite these associations, the unique and combined contributions of DSE and NM distress to PTSD symptoms, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts remain unclear. This study examined whether DSE and NM distress independently predicted these clinically relevant outcomes in a trauma-exposed sample. As part of a larger study on Targeted Dream Incubation (TDI), which involves providing auditory cues (e.g., “think of a tree”) as individuals fall asleep to shape dream content, N = 30 completed an in-person survey battery. Surveys assessing DSE, NM distress, PTSD symptoms, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts were completed at baseline (pre-TDI/nap. For the present study, three multiple linear regressions were conducted to evaluate whether DSE and NM distress significantly predicted PTSD symptoms, insomnia severity, and suicidal thoughts. Both DSE (b = .41) and NM distress (b = 1.83) were significant predictors of PTSD symptoms (p < .001). For insomnia, DSE emerged as the only significant predictor (b = .18, p < .05). For thoughts related to suicide, both DSE (b = .31) and NM distress (b = 1.48) were significant predictors (p < .05). Findings indicate that trauma-related dreaming, specifically lower DSE and heightened NM distress, are associated with PTSD symptom severity, suggesting that both confidence in managing dreams and the distress experienced from nightmares independently contribute to posttraumatic outcomes. Reduced DSE alone predicted insomnia severity, highlighting that confidence in dream management may influence broader sleep disturbances beyond nightmare distress. For suicidal thoughts, both lower DSE and higher NM distress were significant predictors, emphasizing the relevance of trauma-related dream variables to suicide risk. These results highlight the importance of assessing DSE and NM distress in trauma-exposed individuals; however, future research should extend these findings to inform clinical utility. N/A