Sleep normalization and decrease in dissociative experiences: evaluation in an inpatient sample.
Dalena Van der Kloet, Timo Giesbrecht, Steven Jay Lynn, Harald Merckelbach, André De Zutter
Journal of Abnormal Psychology February 2012 DOI: 10.1037/a0024781 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mixed inpatient sample at a private clinic |
| Duration | Evaluated on arrival and at discharge 6 to 8 weeks later |
| Key findings | Sleep experiences were linked to dissociative symptoms, and reductions in dissociative symptoms specifically accompanied decreases in narcoleptic experiences rather than insomnia. A general reduction in psychopathology did not fully account for the specific dissociation effect. The authors argue the pattern is consistent with the hypothesis that sleep-wake disruptions cause intrusions of sleep phenomena into waking consciousness. |
Abstract
We conducted a longitudinal study to investigate the relation between sleep experiences and dissociative symptoms in a mixed inpatient sample at a private clinic evaluated on arrival and at discharge 6 to 8 weeks later. Using hierarchical regression analyses and structural equation modeling, we found a link between sleep experiences and dissociative symptoms and determined that specifically decreases in narcoleptic experiences rather than insomnia accompany a reduction in dissociative symptoms. Although sleep improvements were associated with a general reduction in psychopathology, this reduction could not fully account for the substantial and specific effect that we found for dissociation. Our findings are consistent with Watson's (2001) hypothesis that disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle lead to intrusions of sleep phenomena into waking consciousness, resulting in dissociative experiences. Accordingly, sleep hygiene may contribute to the treatment or prevention of dissociative symptoms.
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and dissociative experiences: Suggested underlying mechanisms and implications for science and practice Frontiers in Psychology March 22, 2023
- Dreams and Dissociation—Commonalities as a Basis for Future Research and Clinical Innovations Frontiers in Psychology April 22, 2020
- Fragmented sleep - fragmented mind : the role of sleep in dissociative symptoms 2013
- Sleep and dream disturbances associated with dissociative experiences. Consciousness and Cognition July 1, 2024
- The relationship between sleep, dissociation and psychotic-like experiences. Early Intervention in Psychiatry March 25, 2022
and 9 more in the library
Cites 6
- Daily stress interacts with trait dissociation to predict sleep-related experiences in young adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology August 1, 2011
- What are sleep-related experiences? Associations with transliminality, psychological distress, and life stress. Consciousness and Cognition December 1, 2009
- Unusual sleep experiences, dissociation, and schizotypy: Evidence for a common domain. Clinical Psychology Review June 21, 2009
- Individual differences in lateralisation of hallucinations associated with sleep paralysis. Laterality 2004
- Clinical importance of nightmare disorder in patients with dissociative disorders Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences December 1, 2003
and 1 more in the library