Nightmares and anxiety in elementary-aged children: is there a relationship.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a relationship exists between children's anxiety level and nightmare occurrence.

METHOD: A total of 60 kindergarten, second and fourth grade school children and their parents completed questionnaires assessing nightmare occurrence and anxiety.

RESULTS

According to parental report, children who experience nightmares have significantly higher levels of anxiety than children who do not experience nightmares. The results also indicate a relationship between nightmare distress and trait anxiety.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that anxiety issues should be considered in children who are experiencing nightmares.