Gender differences in dream recall: a meta‐analysis
Abstract
Summary: Many studies have reported gender differences in dream recall. Data from 175 independent studies have been included in the analyses. Overall, estimated effect sizes in five age groups of healthy persons differed significantly from zero. Variables like measurement method and publication year did not affect the gender difference but age groups showed different effect sizes. The smallest effect size was found for children (0.097), the largest for adolescents (0.364), whereas the three adult groups ranged from 0.242 to 0.270. The findings suggest that the age‐dependent gender differences in dream recall might be explained by gender‐specific ‘dream socialization’. Longitudinal studies in this area, however, are still lacking.
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A female advantage is also seen for Autobiographical memory (SMD = 0.23).
“A female advantage is also seen for Autobiographical memory (SMD = 0.23; Schredl & Reinhard, 2008).”
From A Systematic Review and New Analyses of the Gender-Equality Paradox (2025) · cites this paper as Schredl & Reinhard, 2008
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- Authors
- SCHREDL, M., & REINHARD, I.
- Affiliations
- Central Institute of Mental Health (DE)
- Corresponding author
- SCHREDL, MICHAEL
- Venue
- Journal of Sleep Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-03-19
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 125-131
- ISSN
- 0962-1105 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2869
- OpenAlex
- W2006185662
- Cited by
- 151
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 0.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Sleep Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Keywords
- dream recall, gender differences, age differences, children, adolescents, adults
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Child, Dreams, Humans, Middle Aged, Mental Recall, Sex Factors, Socialization
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