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Cited by 107Sleep and Wakefulness ResearchSleep and related disordersPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Variety and intensity of emotions in nightmares and bad dreams

Zadra, Antonio, Pilon, Mathieu, Donderi, Don C.·2006·Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease
DOI 10.1097/01.nmd.0000207359.46223.dc
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Abstract

Nightmares are usually defined as frightening dreams that awaken the sleeper. This study uses the waking criterion to distinguish between nightmares and bad dreams and investigated the variety and intensity of emotions reported in each form of disturbing dream. Ninety participants recorded their dreams for 4 consecutive weeks and, for each dream recalled, noted the emotions present and their intensities on a 9-point scale. Thirty-six participants reported at least one nightmare and one bad dream over the 4 weeks covered by the log, while 29 reported having had at least one bad dream but no nightmares. Nightmares were rated as being significantly (p < 0.001) more intense than bad dreams. Thirty percent of nightmares and 51% of bad dreams contained primary emotions other than fear. The findings support the claim that awakening can serve as an indirect measure of nightmare intensity and raise important implications for the operational definition of nightmares.

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  • As many as 30-51% of nightmares contain emotions other than fear, e.g., anger, sadness, or frustration.

    “as many as 30–51% of nightmares contain emotions other than fear, e.g., anger, sadness, or frustration (125).”

    From The Stress Acceleration Hypothesis of Nightmares (2017) · cites this paper as [125]

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Authors
Zadra, A., Pilon, M., & Donderi, D. C.
Affiliations
  • Université de Montréal (CA)
  • McGill University (CA)
Corresponding author
  • Zadra, Antonio
  • Pilon, Mathieu
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2006-04
Volume
194
Issue
4
Pages
249-254
ISSN
0022-3018 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/01.nmd.0000207359.46223.dc
OpenAlex
W2027850494
Cited by
107
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 7
FWCI
1.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
nightmares, dream emotions, emotional intensity, fear, awakening, dream recall
MeSH terms
Adult, Diagnosis, Differential, Dreams, Emotions, Fear, Female, Humans, Male, Models, Psychological, Terminology as Topic, Surveys and Questionnaires, Mental Recall, Records, Wakefulness, Night Terrors

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