Exploring the relationship between mood, bad dreams and nightmares.

Abstract

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The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between self-reported mood before bedtime, and bad dreams and nightmares. Firstly, there was an interest in whether reports of lower mood were associated with higher frequencies of bad dreams and nightmares. Secondly, whether reports of lower mood before bedtime was associated with reports of more negative emotional content in the nightmare. And lastly, whether reports of lower mood before bedtime was associated with reports of more physical impairment due to the nightmare. While the literature clearly confirms a higher prevalence of nightmares and bad dreams in cases of psychological disorders, few studies have investigated the mediating role of mood in the general population. Through an online survey that lasted 28 days, participants reported their mood prior to bedtime and any experience of bad dreams or nightmares. To assess the emotional content within the nightmare and the physical impairments thereof, the Nightmare Experience Questionnaire was used. Small significant correlations were found between mood and bad dream and nightmare frequency. Additionally reports of lower mood was associated with reports of higher scores in nightmare-induced loss of appetite. Based on the analysis of the data gathered, we have little to no evidence to confirm or deny any of the three hypotheses set for this project. The causes of these results are discussed mainly with regards to the design features of this project. The implications these results bear for future research is first and foremost that we need more research on the relationship between the interplay between mood, bad dreams and nightmares.