The Relationship between Neuroticism, Nightmare Characteristics and Suffering in respect to PTSD Psychopathology

Introduction: The role of neuroticism in the relationship between nightmare characteristics (e.g., frequency and replicativity), and nightmare-related suffering, i.e., nightmare-related distress and impairment after awaking, is still to be explored.

Methods: In a sample of 346 soldiers (mean age 33.95 years, 13.9% females) who experienced at least one traumatic event (47.0% having a formal clinical diagnosis of PTSD), we tested the contributions of neuroticisms and PTSD symptomatology in predicting nightmare characteristics, as well as their moderating effects on the relationship between variables reflecting nightmare characteristics and suffering.

Results: Results showed no significant effect of neuroticism on nightmare frequency and replicativity beyond PTSD symptomatology, while its contribution to nightmare-related suffering was only partially explained by PTSD symptomatology. However, in the subsample of soldiers with PTSD diagnosis, neuroticism showed no significant effects beyond PTSD symptom severity and replicativity. Furthermore, no moderating effects of neuroticism or PTSD symptom severity on the relationship between nightmare characteristics and nightmare-related suffering in traumatized soldiers were found.

Discussion: These results confirm the predictive role of neuroticism on PTSD symptom severity and nightmare-related suffering but not nightmare frequency and replicativity. Furthermore, neuroticism and PTSD symptom severity did not contribute to higher vulnerability to nightmare suffering, in traumatized people who experience frequent and replicative nightmares.