Attachment styles and nightmares in adults.

A number of different causes have been discussed with respect to the etiology or treatment of nightmares. Among them, however, relatively little attention has been given to early developing emotional factors, like attachment. Previous results hint to a relationship between nightmare frequency and attachment style. The present study thus served to further substantiate this observation by investigating the relationship between attachment styles and nightmare frequency and nightmare distress. Results reveal that subjects with insecure attachment styles report more nightmares and more nightmare distress than those with a secure attachment style. In particular, among the insecure attachment styles, the fearful attachment style is most prone to higher nightmare frequency and nightmare distress. The results indicate that among personality factors and current stressors, attachment styles may also affect nightmares. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)

Source: Dreaming - March 30, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Belfiore, Livia A.; Pietrowsky, Reinhard Source Type: research