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Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats
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Nightmare frequency and femininity/masculinity.

Michael Schredl1, Olaf Lahl, Anja S Göritz

  • 1Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Germany. Michael.Schredl@zi-mannheim.de

Perceptual and Motor Skills
|November 10, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Women report nightmares more often than men, potentially due to sex-specific socialization. Masculine and feminine traits were linked to nightmare frequency, supporting this hypothesis but not fully explaining the difference.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Nightmares are reported more frequently by women than men in large-scale studies.
  • Empirical interpretations for this observed sex difference in nightmare occurrence are limited.
  • Sex-specific socialization is hypothesized as a potential risk factor for nightmares.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between sex-role orientation (expressivity/femininity and instrumentality/masculinity) and nightmare frequency.
  • To test the hypothesis that sex-specific socialization influences nightmare occurrence.
  • To identify potential variables for future research to explain sex differences in nightmares.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was conducted to collect data.
  • Participants' nightmare frequency was assessed.
  • Sex-role orientation, including expressivity/femininity and instrumentality/masculinity, was measured.

Main Results:

  • Findings indicated a relationship between expressivity/femininity and nightmare frequency.
  • Instrumentality/masculinity was also found to be related to nightmare frequency.
  • These variables partially supported the sex-specific socialization hypothesis.

Conclusions:

  • Sex-role orientation, encompassing both feminine and masculine traits, is associated with nightmare frequency.
  • While socialization plays a role, other factors likely contribute to the sex difference in nightmares.
  • Future research should explore variables such as depressive symptoms, abuse history, coping styles, and neurophysiological measures.