Objective: This preliminary study aimed to examine if individuals with eating disorder symptomatology have a higher incidence of nightmares. Additionally, the possible influence of general psychological distress on the relationship between eating disorder symptoms and nightmares was examined.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 350 university students completed measures of nightmare frequency, eating disorder symptomatology, and psychological distress.
Results: Individuals with eating disorder symptomatology were significantly more likely to report frequent nightmares compared to controls. However, when controlling for gender and general psychological distress, eating disorder symptomatology no longer significantly predicted nightmares.
Conclusion: Individuals with eating disorder symptomatology are more likely to report nightmares. However, the incidence of nightmares among individuals with eating disorder symptomatology appears to be largely affected by gender and levels of general distress. Future research is required to better understand these preliminary results and replicate the findings among clinical samples. Physicians with patients reporting eating disorder symptomatology should consider screening for the presence of nightmares.
Key words: Nightmares, eating disorders, eating disturbance, psychological distress
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