Effects of early nightmares on the development of sleep disturbances in motor vehicle accident victims.
The present study prospectively examined the extent to which trauma-related nightmares affected the subsequent development of insomnia symptoms in 314 motor vehicle accident (MVA) victims. Participants were assessed in-hospital and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year post-MVA. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that 6-week PTSD symptoms (PTSS) and 3-month nightmares, but not 2-week nightmares were positively associated with sleep onset and maintenance problems reported at 3-month post-MVA. Nightmares reported at 3-months post-MVA were positively associated with 1-year sleep maintenance problems. These findings highlight the dynamic relationship between PTSS and sleep problems as well as the potential importance of early intervention for trauma-related nightmares as a means to prevent sleep problems after a traumatic experience.
Kobayashi
Ihori
I
Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
Sledjeski
Eve M
EM
Spoonster
Eileen
E
Fallon
William F
WF
Delahanty
Douglas L
DL
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004325:Dreams; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult