Lockdown dreams: dream content and emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Italian sample

Introduction In the current study, following the continuity hypothesis and considering the adaptive function of dreaming, dreams were investigated from a quantitative and qualitative perspective, focusing on how the COVID-19 restrictions impacted dream frequency, content, and emotions during the lockdown in an Italian sample [N=598, aged 18-70 years (M = 30.9; SD = 10.9)]. Methods The participants were recruited through an online survey in which they were asked to report one or two dreams they had during the lockdown, and to provide socio-demographical information. Levels of anxiety, depression and rumination were assessed. Questions also explored participants perceived fear of contagion, dream recall frequency, and dream vividness. Dream reports were analyzed using thematic analysis, and quantitative analyses were conducted using chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and bivariate correlations. Results Several themes emerged from the content analysis, including relationships, the human and natural environment, and COVID-19. Higher levels of anxiety, depression, and rumination were found in young adults, compared to middle age and older participants. A positive correlation emerged between the frequency of dreams relating to COVID-19 and anxiety and fear of contagion. Moreover, in both male and female participants, higher fear of contagion corresponded to greater dream vividness during the lockdown. Results showed that women had greater dream recall than men and reported greater psychological distress and more dreams related to COVID-19. Concerning the emotional tone of participants' dreams, it was found a higher proportion of negative dream emotions relative to positive ones: fear/fright/terror and anxiety/anguish/worry were the most frequent emotions in the dream reports. Conclusions Results were discussed highlighting clinical implications. The current study suggests that a traumatic collective event such as the Covid-19 pandemic may have implications for dream life.