DREAM ACTIVITY, SLEEP, AND PERFORMANCE IN A NATIONAL EXAM
Sleep, dreams, mood states, academic performance
The construction of dream narratives involves the integration of various memory fragments. One evolutionary Darwinian theory of dreams suggests that, in ancestral environments, dreams functioned as a safe space for simulating threats encountered during wakefulness, providing an adaptive advantage for survival. Another prominent theory posits that dreams play a crucial role in emotional regulation through neuropsychological mechanisms, particularly in managing emotions such as fear. During sleep, especially in the REM stage, neural circuit modulation associated with gene expression from wakeful experiences occurs, facilitating memory formation and consolidation. This stage is characterized by a higher prevalence of complex dream activity. Within this framework, dream content may serve as a valuable marker for understanding the relationship between significant waking-life events and the emotional and cognitive states of the dreamer. Moreover, the phase delay commonly observed in adolescence fosters an evening chronotype, creating a misalignment between biological rhythms and social demands, such as school schedules. This misalignment often leads to behavioral changes and impaired academic performance. This study examined the interplay between sleep, dreams, mood states, habits, and the COVID-19 pandemic through data collected via questionnaires, focusing on academic performance during a national examination period. A subset of participants wore actigraphs (watch-like devices) to monitor activity-rest patterns during the exam period. Dream reports were collected and analyzed in terms of frequency, content, and emotional valence. Data analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including variance analysis with post-hoc tests and generalized linear models (GLMs). Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify patterns among variables related to sleep, dreams, mood states, and academic performance. The findings revealed a prevalence of negative dreams prior to the first exam day, potentially supporting the emotional regulation theory of dreaming. Additionally, poor sleep quality and negative dream experiences in the preceding month emerged as key predictors of exam performance, alongside the impact of COVID-19-related disruptions on sleep routines. The study provides valuable insights into the need for interventions aimed at improving sleep quality and emotional regulation in young populations, particularly in high-pressure contexts such as competitive examinations. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interaction between neurobiological and emotional factors and their influence on academic outcomes