Epidemiology of disturbing dreams in a diverse US sample

Disturbing dreams are a common complaint among trauma survivors, but little epidemiological research exists to document the frequency in the general population. In addition, information about their occurrence in diverse adults is lacking.

Using the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys we had the unique opportunity to examine disturbing dreams in a diverse sample of adults in the US. Disturbing dreams were measured in three different variables including trauma dreams, dreams of the worst event, and dreams of separation. A fourth variable was created to assess for any disturbing dream reported across the three categories.

Disturbing dream prevalence varied in the overall sample (N = 20,013) based on the assessment question. Dreams of trauma was 2.01% in the overall sample, dreams of the worst event was 7.21% and dreams of separation was 1.73%. Prevalence rates of all dream variables varied by racial and ethnic group membership, gender, and age. Odds ratios were also calculated for the three variables of interest by racial and ethnic group with significant differences emerging. Women had significantly higher rates of disturbing dreams in all variables assessed (p < 0.01). Older adults reported significantly lower rates of disturbing dreams compared to younger and middle-aged adults (p < 0.001).

This study establishes prevalence rates for disturbing dreams in a diverse sample of US adults. Understanding the prevalence can aid in reducing barriers to care for evidence-based treatments currently underutilized.