P077 Death anxiety, disturbing dreams and nightmare severity in Australian adults

Abstract Introduction In recent years, death anxiety has been identified as a transdiagnostic risk factor for many mental health conditions and potentially for disturbing sleep and nightmares. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to identify the prevalence and predictors of death anxiety and examine its relationship to disturbing dreams and nightmares in Australian adults.

Methods: Participants completed a series of questionnaires as part of a larger study, including measures of death anxiety with the Death Anxiety Beliefs and Behaviour Scale (DABBS), nightmare severity with the Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI), and dream content with the Typical Dreams Questionnaire (TDQ).

Results: 432 (47% female) Australian participants completed the study, with an average age of 45±18 years. Overall, 10% reported a sleep disorder diagnosis, and 47% reported a mental health diagnosis. Overall, DABBS scores were significantly higher in females than in males aged 18-30 (p<0.001). Similarly, DDNSI was significantly higher in females compared with males between ages 31-44 years (p<0.02). Typical themes for most people’s dreams included being chased or pursued. Those with a mental health disorder also had significantly higher DABBS scores (p<0.001). Importantly, DABBS scores were significantly and positively related to DDNSI (p<0.003, R2 0.006).

Discussion: These findings indicate that gender differences in death anxiety appear largest in young adults. Importantly, death anxiety was significantly associated with nightmare severity. In particular, the most reported dream themes revolved around threat (i.e., being chased). These results highlight the potential benefits of treating death anxiety to improve nightmare severity.