Nightmare Proneness and Neuroticism: Related but Empirically Distinguishable Predictors of Nightmares
Author(s): William E. Kelly
Abstract: Nightmare proneness and neuroticism are strongly related constructs which differentially predict variance in nightmares, yet their empirical distinctiveness remains unclear. The current study examined relationships among nightmare proneness, neuroticism, and nightmares in 774 university students. Principal axis exploratory factor analysis indicated that nightmare proneness and neuroticism items formed distinguishable but correlated factors. Neuroticism items loaded strongly on one factor, whereas nightmare proneness items loaded on a separate factor. The heterotrait-monotrait ratio supported adequate construct differentiation despite a substantial zero-order correlation. Nightmare proneness and neuroticism were both associated with nightmares, although consistent with previous research, nightmare proneness demonstrated stronger relationships and predicted incremental variance in nightmares beyond neuroticism. Overall, the results suggest that nightmare proneness is intertwined with neuroticism yet includes separable elements potentially relevant to nightmare production mechanisms.
Keywords: Nightmares; Neuroticism; Nightmare proneness; Factor analysis; Dream research; Personality
Published: May 22, 2026
Article: e24005
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