A controlled comparative investigation of rumination, worry, emotional inhibition and arousability in adults with nREM parasomnias, insomnia and good sleepers

摘要

Background: Little is known about the psychological characteristics of adults presenting with nREM parasomnias. Research indicates that a common factor associated with their onset is stress. Early studies suggest that adults experiencing such phenomena may be emotionally inhibited but no research has directly investigated this. Understanding of insomnia and its associated psychological factors is more developed with several studies finding a relationship with both worry and rumination. The role of somatic and especially cognitive arousal has also been emphasised. Methods: The present study aimed to investigate these psychological factors in adults who experience nREM parasomnias. 148 adults were recruited with the index group of interest being the nREM parasomnia (nREMp) group (n = 48), a parallel sleep disorder group of people with Insomnia (n = 50) and a control group of good sleepers (GS) (n = 50). The three groups were compared for differences on self-report measures of emotional inhibition, worry, rumination and arousal. Results: Compared with the GS group, significantly higher levels on all psychological variables were reported by the nREMp group and on all but rumination by the Insomnia group. The Insomnia group scored higher than the nREMp group on cognitive arousal with no other differences found between these two sleep disordered groups. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence is presented for the influence of psychological factors in nREM parasomnias. Further studies are required to replicate and extend these findings. There are, however, implications for the development and evaluation of psychological interventions which could prove a viable alternative treatment option for such clients in clinical settings.