Objective Many have reported odd dreams during the pandemic. Given that dreams are associated with mental health, understanding these changes could provide crucial information about wellbeing during the pandemic. This study explored associations between COVID-19 and dream recall frequency (DRF), and related social, health, and mental health factors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional web survey of 19,355 individuals in 14 countries from May to July 2020. We collected data on COVID-19, mental health, sleep and DRF during the pandemic. We performed McNemar Tests to compare low (<3 nights per week) and high DRF (≥3 nights per week) before and during COVID-19 and to evaluate changes in sleep variables segmented by DRF. Chi-square tests were conducted to compare characteristics between low and high DRF. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between various independent variables and DRF. Results Reports of high DRF during the pandemic were higher than before the pandemic (P<0.001). Female gender (aOR=1.25, 95% CI 1.10–1.41), nightmares (aOR=4.22, 95% CI 3.45–5.17), sleep talking (aOR= 2.36, 1.73–3.23), sleep maintenance problems (aOR=1.34, 95% CI 1.15–1.56), symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD; aOR=1.24, 95% CI 1.09–1.41) and repeated disturbing thoughts (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms) were associated with high DRF. Age group 55–64 years (aOR=0.69, 95% CI 0.58–0.83) reported less high DRF than younger participants. Unadjusted OR showed associations between depression, anxiety, and DRF; however, in adjusted regression depression (aOR= 0.71, 0.59–0.86) and anxiety (aOR=0.79, 95% CI 0.66–0.94) were negatively associated with high DRF. Conclusion and Relevance DRF was higher than pre-pandemic levels across four continents. DRF was associated with gender and parasomnias like nightmares and RBD symptoms, sleep maintenance problems, PTSD symptoms and negatively associated with depression and anxiety. The results implicate that COVID-19 is reflected in our dreams as an expression of the emotional intensity of the pandemic.
Luzides Träumen stellt ein besonderes Traumphänomen dar, das Aspekte des Bewusstseins und des Schlafes in ein Erlebnis integriert. Es zeichnet sich vor allem durch das Bewusstsein der träumenden Person aus, dass sie aktuell träumt. Im luziden Traum sind Träumende in der Lage, aktiv in das Traumgeschehen einzugreifen und es zu verändern. Dadurch werden Bereiche wie die wahrgenommene Selbstwirksamkeit und Selbstkontrolle gestärkt. Luzides Träumen hat als Forschungsgegenstand in den letzten Jahren an Aufmerksamkeit gewonnen, insbesondere in der Neuropsychologie. Wenig erforscht wurde bisher jedoch der Einsatz von luziden Träumen als Behandlungsansatz in der Psychotherapie. Luzidtraumtraining (LTT) stellt einen innovativen Behandlungsansatz dar, der viel Potenzial birgt. Insbesondere bei der Behandlung von Albträumen, auch beispielsweise im Rahmen einer Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung, wurden bereits erste vielversprechende Ergebnisse bezüglich der Wirksamkeit verzeichnet. Trotz vermehrter Hinweise auf den positiven Effekt von luziden Träumen auf die Psyche, steht die Evaluierung von LTT als psychotherapeutische Technik noch am Anfang und weitere Studien sind notwendig, um den Effekt von LTT tiefergehend zu untersuchen.
Hinweise für AutorInnen befinden sich auf der Homepage der Zeitschrift: www.psychotherapie-wissenschaft.info
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