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Stability of nightmare frequency and its relation to neuroticism: A longitudinal study

Michael Schredl, Anja S. Göritz

Journal of Sleep Research June 11, 2020 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13126 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Longitudinal study Cross-sectional Peer reviewed
Sample size 888
Population Adults from an online panel
Duration 2-year period
Topics Dreaming
Keywords Neuroticism Longitudinal study Trait Psychopathology Dream Personality Clinical psychology Statistics Psychotherapist
Citations 10
Key findings Nightmare frequency declined over two years and changes were related to changes in neuroticism. Current psychopathology had a significant but smaller effect on nightmare frequency than prior nightmare frequency, providing empirical evidence for diathesis-stress models.

Abstract

Models of nightmare aetiology postulate an interaction between trait and state factors. However, most of the studies that support these models have been cross-sectional and longitudinal studies are scarce. The present data were obtained from N = 888 participants completing two online dream studies carried out independently with the same online panel 2 years apart. Nightmare frequency declined over the 2-year period and these changes were related to changes in neuroticism. The effect of current psychopathology (state aspect) on nightmare frequency was significant but much smaller compared to the effect of previously measured nightmare frequency (trait aspect) and, thus, the study provided empirical evidence for diathesis-stress models. Future longitudinal studies should take a closer look at life events and other factors that increase and/or decrease nightmare frequencies.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on dreaming, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Lucid Dreaming: a State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming Student volunteers trained to become lucid and signal lucidity with horizontal eye... 2009 Observational study n = 6
Nightmare Prevalence, Nightmare Distress, and Self-Reported Psychological Disturbance Young adults with a mean age of 20 years 2002 Prospective observational study n = 116
Long-term effects of extreme situational stress on sleep and dreaming Survivors of traumatic events who complained of sleep disturbances, compared with... 1987 Case-control study n = 11
The relationship of nightmare frequency and nightmare distress to well‐being Adults who reported dreams 2004 Observational cohort n = 147
Dreaming in NREM Sleep: A High-Density EEG Study of Slow Waves and Spindles Healthy human subjects 2018 Observational cohort n = 14

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