Nightmare experiences and perceived ethnic discrimination amongst female university students in the United Arab Emirates: a cross‐sectional study
María Campo-Redondo, Gabriel Andrade
Journal of Sleep Research January 17, 2024 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14148 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 179 |
| Population | Female university students from the United Arab Emirates |
| Topics | Anxiety Dreaming |
| Keywords | Ethnic group Distress Clinical psychology Depression economics Cross-sectional study |
| Key findings | Perceived ethnic discrimination was a stronger predictor of nightmare experiences than anxiety or depression, although all were related. No significant ethnic differences appeared in nightmare experiences or perceived discrimination. |
Abstract
Perceived ethnic discrimination is known to be associated with anxiety and depression, and in turn, anxiety and depression are known to be associated with nightmare frequency and distress. This elicits a question: is perceived ethnic discrimination associated with nightmare frequency and distress? In this study, 179 female university students from the United Arab Emirates were assessed to answer that question. Results showed that while anxiety and depression were related to nightmare experiences, perceived ethnic discrimination was a stronger predictor of nightmare experiences. We posit two explanations for this finding: one based on psychoanalytical insights, and the other based on the Disposition-Stress model with neurobiological correlates. No significant differences were found across ethnicity when it comes to nightmare experiences or perceived ethnic discrimination. This is an encouraging sign of optimal societal integration in the United Arab Emirates.