Lucid nightmare as a state midway between nightmare and lucid dream

Abstract

Lucid nightmares, which are distinguished by their qualities pertaining to both nightmares and lucid dreams, might constitute a hybrid state in between a nightmare and a lucid dream. To test the notion that some lucid dreams might be transformed from nightmares, this study examined a structural equation model in which nightmares were hypothesized to predict lucid nightmares and therefore lucid dreams, with consideration of positive and negative trait emotions. This model was tested on a sample of 249 Hong Kong Chinese adults. The latent constructs of the model were indicated by the items and subscales adopted from the Dream Intensity Scale, Dream Motif Scale, Brief Affective Neuroscience Personality Scale, and Perth Emotion Regulation Competency Inventory. The structural equation modeling analysis supported the proposed role of lucid nightmare and negative emotionality as a predictor of nightmares.