Autonomic Hyperarousal and Chronotype as Psychobiological Correlates of Nightmare-Relevant Dispositions
Author(s): William E. Kelly
Abstract: Nightmare vulnerability appears influenced by both dispositional and psychobiological factors, yet these are rarely examined together. This study tested whether autonomic hyperarousal and chronotype contribute to nightmare proneness, concretization, and distressing nightmares beyond neuroticism. Undergraduate participants (N = 110) completed measures of self-reported hyperarousal, chronotype, nightmare proneness, concretization, neuroticism, and nightmare frequency. Hyperarousal correlated with nightmare proneness, concretization, and nightmares, and uniquely predicted nightmare proneness and concretization after accounting for gender and neuroticism. Chronotype showed modest associations but no unique effects. Nightmare proneness was the only independent predictor of nightmares. Findings highlight autonomic hyperarousal as a broad correlate of nightmare-relevant dispositions, whereas chronotype played a weaker role in this sample.
Keywords: Nightmare Proneness; Autonomic Hyperarousal; Chronotype; Concretization; Neuroticism; Nightmares; Circadian Rhythms
Article: e22006
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