A new study, involving researchers from Oregon State University and several other institutions, has found a strong connection between loneliness and the frequency and intensity of bad dreams.
The findings, published in the Journal of Psychology, highlight the potential adverse effects of loneliness on sleep quality, emphasizing the broader implications for public health.
Loneliness and sleep disorders are both significant public health concerns, as they are linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, and even premature death.
Colin Hesse, a scientist at Oregon State University and one of the study’s contributors, pointed out that the relationship between loneliness and nightmares is partially mediated by stress. Other factors, such as rumination—excessive worry and anxiety—and hyperarousal, which is a heightened state of alertness, also play a role.
These mental states are often associated with feelings of loneliness, which in turn can disrupt sleep and lead to nightmares.
The research was led by Kory Floyd of the University of Arizona and involved collaboration with scientists from the University of Tampa and Whitworth University.
The study’s results align with the evolutionary theory of loneliness, which suggests that a sense of belonging is crucial for human survival.
According to this theory, just as hunger signals a need for food, loneliness signals a need for social connection. When this need goes unmet, individuals may experience physical, mental, and social suffering.
Hesse, who is also the director of the School of Communication in OSU’s College of Liberal Arts, explained that interpersonal relationships are a fundamental human need.
When people lack strong relationships, they are more likely to suffer from a range of issues, including poor sleep. Nightmares, the study found, are one way that loneliness can manifest in sleep disturbances.
The study involved surveys of over 1,600 adults in the United States, aged 18 to 81, and found a correlative relationship between loneliness and nightmares, rather than a direct cause-and-effect link.
The results suggest that humans may have evolved to experience heightened stress, rumination, and alertness when they are lonely, which in turn can lead to nightmares.
This explanation differs from the traditional view that nightmares are primarily caused by environmental factors, such as trauma.
Although the study does not yet provide concrete interventions, Hesse noted that the findings are consistent with the idea that treating loneliness could potentially reduce the occurrence of nightmares. This hypothesis, he suggested, could be explored in future controlled clinical studies.
The Sleep Foundation estimates that between 50 million and 70 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder. Hesse emphasized the importance of quality restorative sleep for cognitive functioning, mood regulation, metabolism, and overall well-being.
Given that loneliness disrupts sleep, it stands out as a key psychological state that needs to be addressed to improve sleep quality.
Loneliness was already a widespread issue in the United States before the COVID-19 pandemic, with about half of American adults reporting measurable levels of loneliness.
The U.S. Surgeon General’s office has highlighted the severe health risks associated with loneliness, comparing its impact to that of smoking in terms of raising the risk of premature death.
The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation has reported startling statistics:
- A 29% increased risk of heart disease.
- A 32% increased risk of stroke.
- A 50% increased risk of developing dementia in older adults.
- A more than 60% chance of premature death.
Additionally, people who frequently feel lonely are more than twice as likely to develop depression compared to those who rarely or never feel lonely.
These findings underscore the critical need for addressing loneliness as a public health priority. By understanding the connections between loneliness, nightmares, and overall health, researchers and healthcare providers can better support those who are most at risk.
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The research findings can be found in The Journal of Psychology.
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