The relationship between sleep, dissociation and psychotic-like experiences

Background: Sleep disturbances have frequently been associated with the full spectrum of psychosis, from psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) to individuals who meet diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. Similarly, dissociative experiences have been linked to both sleep disturbances and PLEs.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the role of dissociation in the relationship between sleep quality and PLEs.

Methods: PLEs, dissociative symptoms, and sleep quality were examined in 1677 young adults using self-report measures. A mediation analysis was performed to examine whether dissociative experiences account for some of the relationship between sleep quality and PLEs.

Results: Dissociative symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between sleep quality and PLEs, with both age and gender used as covariates.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that dissociation may be a key contributor to the relationship between disrupted sleep and PLEs, which could have treatment and identification implications.