How our Dreams Changed During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects and Correlates of Dream Recall Frequency - a Multinational Study on 19,355 Adults

Abstract

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.

Nightmares in People with COVID-19: Did Coronavirus Infect Our Dreams?

“…Other data concerning the whole sample and analyzed with different aims have been reported elsewhere. 13 , 22 , 42…”

“…The selection of dependent measures was based on (a) the findings of other studies published during pandemic 18–28 and (b) the need to avoid any overlapping (ie, duplication of results) with results of other publications of the ICOSS group. 13 , 22 , 42 The complete protocol is available on Partinen et al 41 …”

“…Specifically, the following predictors have been included: PTSD-repeated disturbing thoughts/memories (low risk, high risk), anxiety (yes, no), depression (yes, no), stress (yes, no), DRF (from 1 to 5), sleep quality (good, poor), sleep duration (long, normal, short), insomnia (yes, no), quality of life, quality of health, wellbeing, quarantine duration (≤ 1 month, > 1 month), COVID-19 severity (low, high). Considering the well-known effect of age and gender on dreaming, 22 , 24 we adjusted the model for these two variables. We entered the variables simultaneously into a single model.…”

Dreams and Nightmares during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Infection: A Longitudinal Study

“…Against this background, a growing number of research papers were showing that the outbreak was associated with relevant psychological symptoms [3,4] and sleep quality was significantly worsened [4][5][6]. Many investigations also explored oneiric activity during the pandemic [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Results from different countries revealed higher dream-recall frequency during the pandemic (e.g., [16]).…”

“…Many investigations also explored oneiric activity during the pandemic [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Results from different countries revealed higher dream-recall frequency during the pandemic (e.g., [16]). Moreover, subjects reported that dream content was pandemic-related [7][8][9]17].…”