Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Traumatized Us Collectively? The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Sleep Factors via Traumatization: A Multinational Survey
Brigitte Holzinger, Franziska Nierwetberg, Frances Chung, Courtney J Bolstad, Bjørn Bjorvatn, Ngan Yin Chan, Yves Dauvilliers, Colin A Espie, Fang Han, Yuichi Inoue, Damien Léger, Tainá Macêdo, Kentaro Matsui, Ilona Merikanto, Charles M Morin, Sérgio Mota-Rolim, Markku Partinen, Giuseppe Plazzi, Thomas Penzel, Mariusz Sieminski, Yun Kwok Wing, Serena Scarpelli, Michael R Nadorff, Luigi De Gennaro
Nature and Science of Sleep August 1, 2022 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s368147 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15,292 |
| Population | Adults older than 18 years; 64.05% female, mean age 41.63 |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | Mental health Pandemic Logistic regression Clinical psychology Disease |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | High nightmare frequency increased from 13.24% to 22.35% during the pandemic, with self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms and other factors associated with the increase. |
Abstract
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic affects mental health and sleep, resulting in frequent nightmares. Therefore, identifying factors associated with nightmare frequency is important, as it can indicate mental health issues. The study aimed to investigate increases in nightmare frequency comparing the pre-pandemic and pandemic period, and identify its risk factors. Further, the mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms between the pandemic and nightmares is explored. Patients and
Methods: For this cross-sectional survey data were obtained via self-rating online survey (ICOSS: details in Partinen et al, 2021), which was open to anyone older than 18 years. The final volunteer sample consisted of 15,292 participants, divided according to their nightmare frequency (high: ≥1-2 nights/week; low: <1-2 nights/week). A total of 9100 participants were excluded if answers on variables of interest were missing or receiving rewards for participation. Chi-square tests identified changes of nightmare frequency. Predictors of high nightmare frequency were assessed using logistic regression and presented as Odds Ratios. Post-hoc mediation models were used to investigate the role of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
Results: The mean age was 41.63 (SD=16.55) with 64.05% females. High nightmare frequency increased significantly from 13.24% to 22.35% during the pandemic. Factors associated with it included self-reported PTSS (OR=2.11), other mental disorders and various sleep disorders or problems. Financial burden due to the pandemic, confinement, having had COVID-19, and work situation during the pandemic were associated with nightmare frequency, those relations were partly mediated through PTSS.
Conclusion: Our results display the pandemic influence on nightmare frequency, which in turn connects to multiple mental health and sleep factors. These relations were partly mediated through PTSS. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have caused traumatization of a substantial proportion of society. Health care workers should consider nightmares in their screening routines, as it might indicate PTSS and/or other mental and sleep disorders.