Nightmare frequency in a representative German sample
University Library Heidelberg 2013 DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2013.2.11127 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 915 |
| Population | Representative German sample |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | German Sample material Test biology |
| Citations | 44 |
| Key findings | Nightmare frequency decreases with age, and living in urban areas is associated with heightened nightmare frequency. The authors suggest that longitudinal studies are needed to clarify age effects and that urban environment may be an independent risk factor. |
Abstract
Nightmares are defined as dreams with strong negative emotions that result in awakening. Overall, the findings of the present representative survey (N = 915) indicate that nightmare frequency decrease with age and living in urban areas are associated with heightened nightmare frequency. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify how age affects nightmare frequency because the findings of cross-sectional studies are conflicting. In addition, it would be interesting to test whether increased nightmare frequency is explained by the presence of a mental disorder or whether urban environment is an independent risk factor for nightmares. As nightmares are underdiagnosed and undertreated, it would also make sense to carry out studies that try to clarify the reasons behind this problem that nightmare sufferers not receive adequate treatment.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insomnia Symptoms, Nightmares, and Suicidal Ideation in a College Student Sample Undergraduate students at a large, public university in the southeastern United States | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional survey | n = 583 |
| Prevalence and Correlates of Frequent Nightmares: A Community-Based 2-Phase Study Middle-aged Hong Kong Chinese adults from the community, mean age 40.9 years (SD 5.5,... | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey with subsequent clinical evaluation (two-phase design) | n = 8,558 |
| Factors of home dream recall: a structural equation model Adults (general population sample) | 2003 | Cross-sectional survey with structural equation modeling | n = 444 |
| The Phenomenology of Lucid Dreaming: An Online Survey Respondents to an online survey about lucid dreams | 2014 | Online survey | n = 684 |
| Frequency of Lucid Dreaming in a Representative German Sample Representative sample of German adults | 2011 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 919 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 27
- The relationships between insomnia, nightmares, and dreams: A systematic review Sleep Medicine Reviews April 16, 2024
- High-Level Control in Lucid Dreams Imagination, Cognition and Personality March 8, 2020
- Stability of nightmare frequency and its relation to neuroticism: A longitudinal study Journal of Sleep Research June 11, 2020
- The Nightmare Proneness Scale: A Proposed Measure for the Tendency to Experience Nightmares Sleep and Hypnosis August 14, 2017
- Interest in telephone nightmare counselling in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders Somnologie: Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin August 3, 2020
and 22 more in the library
Cites 8
- Questionnaires and diaries as research instruments in dream research: Methodological issues. Dreaming March 1, 2002
- Prevalence of Nightmare Disorder in Psychiatric Outpatients Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2013
- Nightmares: Prevalence among the Finnish General Adult Population and War Veterans during 1972-2007. Sleep July 1, 2013
- Gender differences in nightmare frequency: a meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews April 1, 2011
- Recall frequency of positive and negative dreams in a representative German sample. Perceptual and Motor Skills June 1, 2009
and 3 more in the library