Dream Sharing Research Articles

Dream Sharing, Dream Recall, and Personality in Adolescents and Adults

Although dreams are very private experiences, they are often shared with others. The findings of the present study ( N = 1,375) indicate that sharing dreams is indeed very common and that dream sharing frequency is related to gender (only in adolescents, with girls sharing dreams more often than boys), extraversion, dream recall frequency, and nightmare frequency. Future studies should study the dream sharing process in more detail—with whom dreams are shared—and possible beneficial effects of dream sharing.

Factors Affecting the Gender Difference in Dream Sharing Frequency

Numerous studies have shown that women tend to share dreams more often than men. However, research looking at factors that might explain this gender difference is scarce. The present online study ( N = 1,808) clearly showed that gender differences in frequency of sharing emotional experiences and sex role orientation (femininity/expressivity) did affect the gender difference in dream sharing whereas dream-related variables such as dream recall frequency and attitude towards dreams did not. Many of the factors associated with dream sharing indicate that the socialization processes might have an effect on dream variables in adulthood. To pursue this line of research, it would be fruitful to study dream sharing within the family.

Dream Sharing as a Healing Method: Tropical Roots and Contemporary Community Potential

Comparing the healing experiences reported by members of indigenous dream groups such as the Senoi of Malaysia and others to those reported by members of American grassroots dream appreciation groups, and considering the views of previous researchers who have studied these groups, it is seen that there are many aspects of dream sharing in the community that have potential healing capacities. There are critics who claim that the lack of a professional group leader will put group members at risk. But problems can be avoided with proper communication, education, and appropriate dream group leadership. The experience of healing by dream sharing in community is qualitatively unique depending on the cultural context and worldview. There are many forms of dream sharing and healing that have been reported by those who have shared dreams in various world communities. In Western societies lack of interest, fear, and safety concerns have influenced the paucity of dream sharing. Many forms of dreamwork in groups have included both healing and education as potential goals. There is room for new ideas to be implemented and built upon that could creatively help nourish those parts of the world that are suffering from social and cultural dream-impoverishment.

The Effects of Dream Sharing on Marital Intimacy and Satisfaction

ABSTRACT Dream sharing between partners, coupled with self-disclosure training, was empirically investigated as a means for generating intimacy and satisfaction among 216 participants who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: dream sharing, event sharing, and waiting list controls. Both dream sharing and event sharing participants attended a four hour self-disclosure training workshop and received an intimacy building workbook. Dream sharing in the context of this study supported the contentions of contemporary therapists that sharing dreams may enhance relationships while providing a forum for self-awareness and self-disclosure.

Community Dream Sharing in Sausalito, California

Community Dream Sharing in Sausalito, California