In a RCT at the Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry IRT was tested with trauma-affected refugees with different cultural backgrounds. Data was collected on the nightmare themes, nightmare frequency and distress, PTSD-symptoms, arousal-symptoms, and sleep.

The aim of the project is to study and further our understanding of nightmares and dreams in the context of trauma and culture and to investigate the content of PTSD related nightmares in trauma-affected refugees. The aim is also to inform us about the possible associations between nightmare frequency and distress and PTSD-symptoms, arousal-symptoms, and sleep. Specifically, we pursue the following three objectives: 

• The first objective is to examine the understanding of etiology and expression of nightmares in different cultural contexts in a scoping review.
• The second objective is to explore the themes of the PTSD related nightmares in a sample of trauma-affected refugees who received treatment with IRT.
• The third objective is to investigate: 1) the association between baseline nightmare frequency and distress and baseline PTSD-symptoms, arousal-symptoms, sleep quality and sleep efficiency using clinician-rated, objective, and self-rated measures. 2) the association between change in nightmare frequency and distress and change in PTSD-symptoms, arousal-symptoms, sleep quality, and sleep efficiency using clinician-rated, objective, and self-rated measures.

Primary investigators: Ida Poschmann, Msc Psychology, PhD student

Supervisors: Jessica Carlsson, MD, PhD, Hinuga Sandahl, MD, PhD, Erik Vindbjerg, Msc Psychology, PhD