Regular Article
The Frequency and Correlates of Sleep Paralysis in a University Sample

https://doi.org/10.1006/jrpe.1995.1017Get rights and content

Abstract

In a sample of 1798 university undergraduates (females, n = 976; males, n = 822) 21% reported one or more episodes of sleep paralysis, and there was no significant sex difference in this regard. Most (98.4%) sleep paralysis sufferers reported at least one psychological symptom (e.g., hallucinations) accompanying their last (or only) episode. A total of 190 sleep paralysis reporters and 221 controls who did not report sleep paralysis were further tested on a battery of instruments that assessed other sleep phenomena (e.g., nightmares), psychopathology, reported physical and sexual abuse, and imaginativeness. A composite index of imaginativeness predicted both the occurrence and frequency of sleep paralysis and also the intensity of sleep paralysis symptomatology. A salience hypothesis of sleep paralysis occurrence was developed to account for these findings.

References (0)

Cited by (80)

  • Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis

    2023, Encyclopedia of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms: Volume 1-6, Second Edition
  • A systematic review of variables associated with sleep paralysis

    2018, Sleep Medicine Reviews
    Citation Excerpt :

    However, another study in a more general sample found dissociative experiences to be linked to sleep paralysis frequency, and also to intruder and V-M hallucinations [39]. In a university sample, a composite measure of “imaginativeness” that comprised scales of absorption, fantasy proneness, magical thinking, imagery vividness, paranormal and mystic beliefs, perceptual aberration, and unusual sensory experiences, was related to sleep paralysis frequency and intensity [22]. It was unclear which of these components was driving the relationship.

  • Isolated Sleep Paralysis and Affect

    2015, Sleep and Affect: Assessment, Theory, and Clinical Implications
View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text