Convergent, Discriminant, and Incremental Validity of the Nightmare Proneness Scale
W. Kelly, Qiujun Yu
Dreaming March 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1037/drm0000097 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional validation study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 140 |
| Population | University students |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Key findings | The Nightmare Proneness Scale demonstrates convergent and discriminant validity and predicts incremental variance in nightmares beyond general distress, neuroticism, and trauma symptoms. |
Abstract
The current study examined the validity of the Nightmare Proneness Scale (NPS; Kelly, 2018) as measuring a personality disposition that predisposes individuals to experience frequent nightmares. The NPS and measures to estimate its convergent and discriminant validity were administered to a sample of 140 university students. The convergent validity of the scale was supported through significant correlations with nightmare frequency, nightmare distress, nightmare effects, general psychological distress, neuroticism, and trauma symptoms. Discriminant validity was demonstrated through nonsignificant correlations with feminine gender role, habitual sleep length, and social desirability. Regression results indicated that the NPS significantly predicted incremental variance in nightmares above general distress, neuroticism, and trauma symptoms combined as well as above nightmare distress and nightmare effects. The results and suggestions for additional research on the NPS and nightmare proneness were suggested.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insomnia Symptoms, Nightmares, and Suicidal Ideation in a College Student Sample Undergraduate students at a large, public university in the southeastern United States | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional survey | n = 583 |
| Prevalence and Correlates of Frequent Nightmares: A Community-Based 2-Phase Study Middle-aged Hong Kong Chinese adults from the community, mean age 40.9 years (SD 5.5,... | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey with subsequent clinical evaluation (two-phase design) | n = 8,558 |
| Factors of home dream recall: a structural equation model Adults (general population sample) | 2003 | Cross-sectional survey with structural equation modeling | n = 444 |
| The Phenomenology of Lucid Dreaming: An Online Survey Respondents to an online survey about lucid dreams | 2014 | Online survey | n = 684 |
| Frequency of Lucid Dreaming in a Representative German Sample Representative sample of German adults | 2011 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 919 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Facets of The Nightmare Proneness Scale and Their Relationships to Nightmares, Negative Affect, and Psychological Distress Sleep and Hypnosis 2020
- Nightmare Proneness Predicts Nightmare Frequency Incrementally Over Neuroticism and Distress Sleep Science March 1, 2025
- Factor Analysis and Validation of the Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index in an Inpatient Sample Behavioral Sleep Medicine February 25, 2024
- Taking Heart: Cardiac Symptoms and Nightmares Differentiate Nightmare Proneness and Psychological Distress among Young Adults. Sleep Science March 1, 2023
Cites 10
- Insomnia Symptoms, Nightmares, and Suicidal Ideation in a College Student Sample Sleep 2011
- Nightmare Prevalence, Nightmare Distress, and Self-Reported Psychological Disturbance Sleep 2002
- Prevalence and Correlates of Frequent Nightmares: A Community-Based 2-Phase Study Sleep June 1, 2010
- Prevalence of Nightmare Disorder in Psychiatric Outpatients Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2013
- The Nightmare Proneness Scale: A Proposed Measure for the Tendency to Experience Nightmares Sleep and Hypnosis August 14, 2017
and 5 more in the library