Vivid Dreams and Sleep Quality: A Quantitative Analysis in University Students
Open MIND 2026 DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/dma76 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Correlational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | University students |
| Measures | PSQI, MADRE, GAD-7, PSS |
| Key points | The study is prospective; no results are reported. The authors hypothesize that higher dream recall frequency correlates with poorer sleep quality, negatively valenced dreams disrupt sleep more than neutral or positive ones, and stress and anxiety moderate the relationship between dreaming and sleep quality. |
Abstract
Dream experiences may play a critical role in sleep quality, yet limited research has examined how the emotional tone (valence) of dreams influences sleep stability and recovery. This study investigates the relationship between dream valence, emotional intensity, and subjective sleep quality in university students. Using a correlational design, participants (N = 150) will complete self-report measures assessing sleep quality (PSQI), dream characteristics (MADRE), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), and perceived stress (PSS). The hypotheses are that higher dream recall frequency will correlate with poorer sleep quality and that negatively valenced dreams will disrupt sleep more than neutral or positive ones. Additionally, Stress and anxiety will moderate the relationship between dreaming and sleep quality, such that individuals with higher stress levels will exhibit stronger associations between distressing dream content and poor sleep quality. Findings will contribute to the Affective Processing Hypothesis by exploring how dreams function in emotional regulation and sleep architecture. Results may inform therapeutic interventions targeting maladaptive dream experiences to enhance sleep and well-being. This research provides novel insights into the dynamic relationship between dreams and sleep, advancing our understanding of dream-related sleep disturbances.