Nightmare frequency and nightmare distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The current study investigated nightmare frequency and distress during the pandemic and associated factors. METHODS: 1718 participants completed a survey, 747 of which were youth. The MADRE dream questionnaire was used to collect self-reported data on nightmare frequency and distress. In addition, personality traits, current stressors and COVID-related anxiety were also measured. An ordinal regression model was used for statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The findings from this study suggest (1) COVID-related anxiety is associated with the frequency of nightmares and the severity of nightmare distress experienced by a person; and (2) findings support the continuity hypothesis, which suggests waking life experiences are related to nightmares; and (3) increased COVID-related anxiety contributes independently to nightmare frequency. COVID-related anxiety appeared to be more prevalent within adults (p<.001, effect size = 0.18) compared to youth. Similar results were found for nightmare distress. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of nightmares may have increased due to disruptions in mental health and sleep caused by the COVID-19 crisis. These findings may be important in clinician efforts to understand nightmares and the risk of problematic sleep during the pandemic.