Concretization as a possible mechanism of nightmare proneness: Some theoretical considerations and empirical findings.

Dreaming, Vol 34(1), Mar 2024, 8-25; doi:10.1037/drm0000265Nightmare proneness, a disposition to experience frequent nightmares, has been found to predict nightmares independent of neuroticism, psychological distress, and trauma symptoms. One theorized mechanism of nightmare proneness is concretization, a hypothetical defensive style in which vague and unpleasant inner states are made more tangible. The possible role of concretization in nightmare proneness and nightmares has not been examined empirically. The current research investigates the relationships between concretization, nightmare proneness, and nightmares across three studies involving a total of 621 university students. Concretization was found to be strongly related to nightmare proneness and was a mechanism in the relationship between nightmare proneness and nightmares independent of neuroticism, trauma symptomology, psychic structure, repression, psychopathology syndromes, nightmare distress, and dream recall frequency. The results, limitations, and suggestions for future research were discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Source: Dreaming - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research