Sleep Paralysis among Professional Firefighters and a Possible Association with PTSD—Online Survey-Based Study
Paulina Wróbel-knybel, Joanna Róg, Baland Jalal, P. Szewczyk, Hanna Karakuła-juchnowicz
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 1, 2021 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189442 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 831 |
| Population | Professional firefighters |
| Topics | PTSD |
| Key findings | PTSD was associated with 1.86 times the odds of developing sleep paralysis, and firefighters with a history of SP had higher scores on PTSD, anxiety, and worry scales. |
Abstract
The prevalence of sleep paralysis (SP) is estimated at approximately 7.6% of the world’s general population. One of the strongest factors in the onset of SP is PTSD, which is often found among professional firefighters. Our study aimed to assess in the professional firefighter population (n = 831) (1) the prevalence of SP, (2) the relationship between SP and PTSD and (3) the relationship between SP and other factors: the severity of the stress felt, individual tendency to feel anxious and worried and lifestyle variables. The incidence of SP in the study group was 8.7%. The high probability of PTSD was found in 15.04% of subjects and its presence was associated with 1.86 times the odds of developing SP [OR = 1.86 (95% CI: 1.04–3.33); p = 0.04]. Officers who experienced at least 1 SP during their lifetime had significantly higher results in the scales: PCL-5, STAI-T, PSWQ. The number of SP episodes was positively correlated with the severity of symptoms measured by the PCL-5, PSS-10, STAI and PSWQ questionnaires. Further research is needed to assess the importance of SP among the firefighter population in the context of mental and somatic health and to specify methods of preventing SP episodes.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessing the quality of publicly available videos on MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for PTSD Videos on YouTube about MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD | 2022 | Cross-sectional study | n = 100 |
| Perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy among Black Americans. Black and White American adults | 2023 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 294 |
| Coping motives mediate the relationship between PTSD and MDMA use in adolescents with substance use disorders German adolescent SUD patients aged 13–18 years at an outpatient clinic | 2022 | Cross-sectional study | n = 111 |
| Risk factors of sleep paralysis in a population of Polish students. Polish university students under 35 | 2022 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 2,553 |
| Expert opinions on implementation of MDMA-assisted therapy in Europe: critical appraisal towards training, clinical practice, and regulation. Researchers and clinicians involved in MDMA-AT clinical trials and contributors to the... | 2024 | Survey | n = 68 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Risk factors of sleep paralysis in a population of Polish students. BMC Psychiatry June 7, 2022
- Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Sleeping Paralysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus 2024
- Association between sleep paralysis and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine September 10, 2026
- Characteristics of Sleep Paralysis and Its Association With PTSD, Stress, and Other Lifestyle Variables Among the Population of Pakistan, a Cross-Sectional Study. Public health challenges June 1, 2026
- Experiences and beliefs related to sleep paralysis among the general population of the twin cities: A cross-sectional study. Sleep Medicine December 1, 2024
and 3 more in the library
Cites 19
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- Terror and bliss? Commonalities and distinctions between sleep paralysis, lucid dreaming, and their associations with waking life experiences Journal of Sleep Research July 27, 2016
- Beliefs about sleep paralysis in Turkey: Karabasan attack. Transcultural Psychiatry June 1, 2021
- Sleep paralysis in Italy: Frequency, hallucinatory experiences, and other features. Transcultural Psychiatry June 1, 2021
- Prevalence and Clinical Picture of Sleep Paralysis in a Polish Student Sample. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health May 18, 2020
and 14 more in the library