Facets of The Nightmare Proneness Scale and Their Relationships to Nightmares, Negative Affect, and Psychological Distress

The Nightmare Proneness Scale (NPS) measures a trait-like disposition to frequent nightmares. Among 306 university students, the NPS predicted frequent distressing nightmares independently of psychological distress and negative affect. Three facets emerged: general psychical dysregulation, depressiveness, and somatization. General dysregulation was the strongest predictor of nightmares and the only facet to independently predict them beyond distress and negative affect. The study notes limitations and directions for future research.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Previous research introduced the Nightmare Proneness Scale (NPS) as a measurement for nightmare proneness, the trait-like disposition to experience frequent nightmares. However, outside predicting nightmares, little is known about the structure of the scale or relationships of its facets with nightmares. The factor structure of the NPS and the scale's statistical independence from psychological distress and negative affect were examined among a sample of 306 university students. The NPS predicted frequent distressing nightmares independent from psychological distress and negative affect. Three NPS facets were found representing general psychical dysregulation, depressiveness, and somatization. The NPS facet representing general dysregulation was the strongest predictor of nightmares and the only NPS facet to independently predict nightmares outside of distress and negative affect. The results, limitations, and directions for future research are noted.