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Nightmares and Insomnia in the US National Guard: Mental and Physical Health Correlates

  • Special Issue: Sleep Science
  • Published:
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Nightmares and insomnia are significant concerns that commonly co-occur with each other and with other health disorders. Limited research has examined the unique and shared aspects of insomnia and nightmares, and little is known about sleep in US National Guard personnel. This study sought to determine the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of nightmares with and without insomnia in US National Guard personnel.

Method

National Guard personnel (N = 841) completed an online survey and were classified as having nightmares only, insomnia only, both, or neither, using a minimum nightmare frequency of “less than once a week” and an Insomnia Severity Index cutoff of ≥ 15. Analyses examined differences in demographics, physical health, and psychosocial variables and in the prevalence of nightmares and insomnia in personnel with physical and mental health problems.

Results

In this sample, 32% reported nightmares only, 4% reported insomnia only, and 12% reported both. Those in the youngest age group (18–21) were more likely to have no nightmares or insomnia. Those with both nightmares and insomnia had more deployments. Nightmares and insomnia were associated with poorer physical and mental health and greater prevalence of comorbid physical and mental health conditions. Personnel with both insomnia and nightmares reported the greatest severity of comorbid conditions.

Conclusion

US National Guard personnel with nightmares and/or insomnia reported worse mental and physical health impairment than those without these conditions. Personnel may benefit from screening for nightmares and insomnia and referrals for evidence-based treatment.

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Funding

This project was funded in part by a private donation from Ride to Zero made to the National Center for Veterans Studies. No off-label or investigational drugs were used in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Kristi E. Pruiksma & Hannah Tyler

  2. Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA

    Danica C. Slavish, Jessica R. Dietch & Megan Dolan

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Daniel J. Taylor

  4. National Center for Veterans Studies, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    AnnaBelle O. Bryan & Craig J. Bryan

  5. Department of Psychology, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    AnnaBelle O. Bryan & Craig J. Bryan

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  1. Kristi E. Pruiksma
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  2. Danica C. Slavish
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  3. Daniel J. Taylor
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  4. Jessica R. Dietch
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  5. Hannah Tyler
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  6. Megan Dolan
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  7. AnnaBelle O. Bryan
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Correspondence to Kristi E. Pruiksma.

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Pruiksma, K.E., Slavish, D.C., Taylor, D.J. et al. Nightmares and Insomnia in the US National Guard: Mental and Physical Health Correlates. Int.J. Behav. Med. 28, 238–249 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-020-09889-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-020-09889-2

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