In part one of our series, “Death in Dreams,” we examined the mystery and symbolism behind dreams that involve death. But how do we move from dream interpretation to solid data? In this instalment, we reveal how we measure dreams and the relationship with death anxiety. Using real-world tools and statistical analysis, we conducted a cross-sectional study based on a survey/questionnaire. When conducting such studies, you face a challenge. First, do we focus hyper-intensively on laboratory testing, run intensive laboratory tests over time, and work with a small group (<10)? Or do we gather a large number (>100) of people and use simpler methods, such as self-reporting and questionnaires, to collect data? The answers to these questions come down to cost and time, leading to another question: “How do we fund it?” The resultant study received no funding, and none of the authors are full-time academics receiving financing or payment. Thus, we had to go with the latter methodology. This is often a problem in scientific research, as many researchers conduct experiments and collect data on a shoestring budget or for the love of the study itself.
So how did we measure dreams and death anxiety?
With ethical approval from the University of Western Australia (UWA), we collected demographic information, including age, height, body mass, marital status,
ethnicity, level of education, sleep disorder or mental health diagnosis in conjunction with three validated questionnaires
- Death Anxiety Beliefs and Behaviour Scale (DABBS) is an 18-item measure of death anxiety
- Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI) is a five-item self-reported questionnaire measuring nightmare frequency and severity over time
- Typical Dreams Questionnaire (TDQ) is a 55-item tool to evaluate the most common dream themes
What did we find?
We had 432 participants in our study. There was an overwhelmingly positive response from females, who made up 70% of the total group, with an average age of 45; nearly half of the group had a mental health diagnosis and were highly educated. Death anxiety was prevalent in 15% of the group, with 1 in 4 people experiencing regular disturbing dreams and nightmares.
Overall, the most reported dream types were
- being chased or pursued,
- sexual experiences,
- falling,
- trying again and again to do something
- arriving too late
We undertook further analysis called principal component analysis (PCA) and K-Means clustering, which resulted in a death-related theme around five specific dreams, including seeing yourself as dead, being killed, being locked up, being physically attacked, and killing someone.
What does all this mean?
Whilst we found higher rates of death anxiety and nightmares in our group, the results are consistent with similar groups in other studies. This study shows an interesting relationship/association (not cause and effect) between death anxiety, nightmares and mental health disorders. In addition, those who dreamt of death also had an increase in daytime death anxiety and nightmares whilst sleeping.
For those experiencing death anxiety, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has shown positive results. For those who experience nightmares, finding meaning in dreams, desensitisation and exposure therapy, image rehearsal therapy, and lucid dreaming therapy are all recommended. The latter allows the dreamer to influence and control the content of the dream.
If you are interested in sleep, dreams, sleep disorders, or sleep-related problems, we offer sleep health education sessions, available either face-to-face or online, for groups and teams. Or check out our online courses and book for individuals at https://meliusconsulting.com.au/education/.
Contact us today at info@meliusconsulting.com.au
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