Nightmare distress, nightmare frequency, and beliefs about nightmares
Michael Schredl, Louisa Holyba, Tina Köllmer, Jessica Körfer, Annika Proß
University Library Heidelberg May 23, 2019 DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2019.2.62531 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,056 |
| Population | Adults who completed an online survey |
| Measures | Beliefs about Nightmares Scale |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | Distress Psychoeducation Clinical psychology Intervention counseling |
| Citations | 12 |
| Key findings | Beliefs about nightmares, measured by a newly developed 6-item scale, independently predicted nightmare distress beyond nightmare frequency. The authors propose that psychoeducation about nightmares could be a beneficial intervention to reduce both nightmare frequency and distress. |
Abstract
The diagnosis of a nightmare disorder is based on clinically significant distress caused by the nightmares and, therefore, empirical research should focus on studying factors that affect nightmare distress in addition to nightmare frequency. Overall, 2056 persons (1212 woman, 844 men) completed the online survey. A reliable 6-item scale measuring beliefs about nightmares was developed. The beliefs about nightmares scale contributed to nightmare distress independently from nightmare frequency. From a clinical viewpoint, it would be desirable to carry out intervention studies looking at the effect of psychoeducation about nightmares on nightmare frequency and nightmare distress.
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 9
- The relationships between insomnia, nightmares, and dreams: A systematic review Sleep Medicine Reviews April 16, 2024
- The role of mindful acceptance and lucid dreaming in nightmare frequency and distress. Scientific Reports September 21, 2022
- Bad dreams, bedtime anxiety, and trait anxiety in school-aged children Somnologie: Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin September 25, 2020
- Nightmare experiences and perceived ethnic discrimination amongst female university students in the United Arab Emirates: a cross‐sectional study Journal of Sleep Research January 17, 2024
- Nightmare Coping Strategies and Their Association With Big Five Personality Traits Journal of Sleep Research June 9, 2026
and 4 more in the library