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Explaining the Gender Difference in Dream
Recall Frequency
Michael Schredl
Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
A recent meta-analysis showed a substantial and robust gender difference in
dream recall frequency of medium effect size, that is, women tend to recall
their dreams more often than men. The question arises as to what factors
might explain this difference. Two previous studies indicate that interest in
dreams plays an important role. The present study found a significant effect
of frequency of nocturnal awakenings and interest in dreams on the gender
difference in dream recall frequency. In addition, neuroticism and depressive
mood were associated with the gender difference on the aspects of a dream
recall scale and interest in dreams. Longitudinal studies are necessary to
validate the present findings, especially regarding their causality.
Keywords: dream recall, attitudes toward dreams, gender difference, nocturnal
awakenings, neuroticism
A recent meta-analysis that included data from almost 45,000 participants
yielded a substantial and robust gender difference in dream recall frequency of
medium effect size, that is, women tend to recall their dreams more often than men
(Schredl & Reinhard, 2008). The question arises as to what factors might explain
this difference. This question is of theoretical interest because it would allow
differentiating between “genuine” dream-specific gender differences and factors for
which research had already come up with explanations, for example, higher inci-
dence of depression in women. Possible factors have to meet two criteria: First, they
should show a stable gender difference themselves and, second, they should cor-
relate substantially with dream recall frequency.
To date, only two studies (Schredl, 2000; Schredl, 2002–2003) have investigated
the direct effect of possible explanatory factors on the gender difference in dream
recall by applying statistical methods such as regression analyses and partial cor-
relations. Schredl (2000) was not able to find a significant reduction in the gender
difference in dream recall by introducing variables such as sleep quality, tiredness,
emotional balance in the evening, and frequency of nocturnal awakening (ques-
tionnaire measure) into the regression analysis. When engagement in dreams,
Michael Schredl, Sleep Laboratory, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
This study was supported by Grant SCHR 637/2–1 from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Michael Schredl, Sleep Laboratory,
Central Institute of Mental Health, PO Box 12 21 20, 68072 Mannheim, Germany. E-mail:
Michael.Schredl@zi-mannheim.de
96
Dreaming © 2010 American Psychological Association
2010, Vol. 20, No. 2, 96–106 1053-0797/10/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/a0019392
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