title: No refuge: an exploratory survey of nightmares, dreams, and sleep patterns in women dealing with relationship violence.
abstract: This exploratory survey examined the dreams, nightmares, and sleep patterns of 30 women who were dealing with relationship violence. The sample of women was taken from two transition homes and a family counseling center. The findings indicate that 50% of the sample experienced nightmares on a weekly basis. Some of the dream images included drowning, being chased, being killed, or killing others. Slightly more than half (56%) experienced a recurring dream. Most women had trouble falling asleep and, on average, slept for 6.1 hours per night. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of British Columbia-Okanagan, Canada.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D004325:Dreams / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires