The influence of major social transitions on dream content

Abstract

According to the continuity hypothesis, dream content systematically reflects waking life experiences, emotional states, and cognitive processes (Domhoff, 2017; Schredl & Hofmann, 2003). This study investigated how major social transitions, specifically romantic relationship formation and paternal bereavement, influence the frequency and characteristics of male dream characters across an 18-month longitudinal dream series. A female participant recorded 323 dreams, which were systematically coded for dream character gender, identity, closeness levels, and engagement types. Male dream character occurrences increased after relationship onset (47.90% to 65.83%) and again after the father’s death (78.57%). Female character occurrences remained stable. The most substantial changes occurred in father and male romantic partner identities, with increased direct verbal and physical engagement patterns. Male dream characters demonstrated increased aggressive and authoritative engagement patterns relative to supportive interactions, despite positive waking-life relationship quality with men during the study period. The findings are consistent with the continuity hypothesis and may indicate that schemas are reflected in dream content during major social transitions.