Abstract
Propensity to have nightmares has been theorised in terms of diathesis-stress models, with this propensity being seen as negative or even pathological. In contrast, a recent model proposes that nightmare propensity is due to Differential Susceptibility to stimuli, where high susceptibility can be beneficial in positive environments but detrimental in negative environments. This susceptibility to stimuli is assessed as the biobehavioural trait Sensory Processing Sensitivity, which refers to a greater responsivity to internal and external stimuli, and an increased depth of cognitive and emotional processing. To test the Differential Susceptibility Framework for nightmares, 137 participants (females=104, males=33; mean age=33.66 years), recruited from a student population and social media sites, were divided into high (n=39), medium (n=59) and low (n=39) Sensory Processing Sensitivity categories based on their score on the Highly Sensitive Person Scale. Low mental wellbeing and the presence of minor psychiatric problems, measured by the General Health Questionnaire, was found to be significantly correlated with nightmare frequency for the high and medium SPS groups (rs=.29 and .28, respectively), but not for the low Sensory Processing Sensitivity group (r=.19). General Health Questionnaire score was also significantly correlated with trait nightmare distress, for the high Sensory Processing Sensitivity group only (r=.32). These findings in favour of the Differential Susceptibility Framework have aetiology and treatment implications for nightmares that differ from diathesis-stress models.
Highlights
Nightmares are a form of dream disturbance that involve extreme emotional manifestations, typically resulting in awakening
Traditional models of nightmares usually focus on the diathesis– stress framework, in which emotional dysregulation is implicated in the production of nightmares
Heightened emotional reactivity measured as neuroticism is associated with nightmare frequency (NMF), and with nightmare distress (ND), a trait assessing negative reactions to having nightmares (Schredl & Goeritz, 2019)
Summary
Nightmares are a form of dream disturbance that involve extreme emotional manifestations, typically resulting in awakening. Heightened emotional reactivity measured as neuroticism is associated with nightmare frequency (NMF), and with nightmare distress (ND), a trait assessing negative reactions to having nightmares (Schredl & Goeritz, 2019). Such findings support the Affect Network Dysfunction Model (Levin & Nielsen, 2007). A more comprehensive theory that may account for nightmares was proposed by Carr and Nielsen (2017) Their Differential Susceptibility Framework (DSF) proposes that trait Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a main contributing factor to nightmare production. In humans and some other species, this behavioural and physiological trait results in different adaptive strategies for individuals regarding response to risk and danger, these intra-species strategies being caution and hesitation versus approach and engagement for high and low SPS individuals, respectively (Aron & Aron, 1997)
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