0936 Emotion Regulation Function of Bad Dreams and Nightmares. (27th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tousignant, O H; Glass, D J; Fireman, G D
• Is Part Of: Sleep. Volume 41(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A347
• Page End: A347
• Publication Date: 2018-04-27
• Subjects: Sleep -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sleep disorders -- Periodicals; Sommeil -- Aspect physiologique -- Périodiques; Sommeil, Troubles du -- Périodiques; Sleep disorders; Sleep -- Physiological aspects; Sleep -- physiological aspects; Sleep Wake Disorders; Psychophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.8498
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsy061.935
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-8105

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The Affect Dysfunction Network model posits that disturbed dreams serve an adaptive emotional function and that nightmares and bad dreams may be functionally distinct. Bad dreams do not awaken the sleeper and thus may be analogous to behavioral exposure. Nightmares awaken the sleeper and may be analogous to experiential avoidance. More information is needed regarding how arousal is involved in disturbed dreams. We hypothesize that (a) bad dreams will relate to high levels of negative affect and low arousal and (b) nightmares will relate to high levels of negative affect, experiential avoidance, and arousal. Methods: Data was collected from 129 participants from across the globe via an online platform. At Time 1, participants reported about negative affect, arousal, and experiential avoidance. For three weeks participants completed daily data regarding affect load, nightmares, and bad dreams. At Time 2, participants reported about negative affect, arousal, and experiential avoidance. Results: Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed the impact of negative affect, experiential avoidance, and arousal on bad dreams and nightmares. The main effects of negative affect, experiential avoidance, and arousal did not account for a significant portion of the variance in bad dreams or nightmares. Interaction effects emerged such that participants with high levels of arousal exhibited a positive association between negative affect and bad dreams ( B = .06, t = 2.70, Δ R 2 = .06, p = .008, β = .26) and participants with high levels of experiential avoidance exhibited a positive association between negative affect and bad dreams (B = .01, t = 2.48, Δ R 2 = .05, p = .015, β = .22). The interaction between experiential avoidance and arousal was not statistically significant. Conclusion: People with high levels of arousal and experiential avoidance may be more likely to have bad dreams, not necessarily nightmares, when they have high levels of negative affect. This suggests that negative affect is an integral component of disturbed dreaming and, in combination with trait arousal or experiential avoidance, can be processed without waking the sleeper. The implications for intervention will be discussed. Support (If Any): N/A