Transitional objects, pre-sleep rituals, and psychopathology

The prevalence among college age adults (N = 184) of transitional objects and pre-sleep preparation rituals and their relationship to mental health was investigated. Two scales concerning use of transitional objects and fear of going to sleep, showed statistically significant correlations with self-reports of nightmares, loneliness, depression, and previous physical and sexual abuse. Forty-six students scoring in the highest 15% of the distribution of scores for each scale were compared with students in the lowest 15% on the MAACL and SCL-90-R. High scoring students showed significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, hostility, and interpersonal sensitivity.