Hostname: page-component-76d6cb85b7-xh428 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-07-15T15:30:13.574Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Gender differences in partner and ex-partner dreams

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2026

Michael Schredl Open the ORCID record for Michael Schredl [Opens in a new window]
Michael Schredl*
Affiliation:
Sleep laboratory, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany Michael.Schredl@zi-mannheim.de
*
*Corresponding author.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The dream studies support the notion that partner dreams are more negatively toned in women compared to men, indicating that women do not profit as much from partnerships as men. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the consequences of break-ups might be more stressful for women than men on an emotional level, contrary to the claim in the target article.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e124
Check for updates
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Erlacher, D., & Schredl, M. (2010). Frequency of sport dreams in athletes. International Journal of Dream Research, 3, 91–94. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2010.1.584 Google Scholar
Malinowski, J. E., & Horton, C. L. (2014). Evidence for the preferential incorporation of emotional waking-life experiences into dreams. Dreaming, 24(1), 18–31. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036017 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moverley, M., Schredl, M., & Göritz, A. S. (2018). Media dreaming and media consumption – An online study. International Journal of Dream Research, 11(2), 127–134. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2018.2.46416 Google Scholar
Schredl, M. (2001). Dreams of singles: Effects of waking-life social contacts on dream content. Personality and Individual Differences, 31, 269–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(00)00135-5 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schredl, M. (2011). Dreams of a romantic partner in a dream series: Comparing relationship periods with periods of being separated. International Journal of Dream Research, 4, 127–131. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2011.2.9150 Google Scholar
Schredl, M. (2018). Researching dreams: The fundamentals. Palgrave Macmillan.10.1007/978-3-319-95453-0CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schredl, M. (2024). Continuity between waking life and dreaming: A research note and study in adolescents. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 44(1), 104–116. https://doi.org/10.1177/02762366241254818 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schredl, M., Berres, S., Klingauf, A., Schellhaas, S., & Göritz, A. S. (2015). Factors affecting the frequency of music dreams: An online study. International Journal of Dream Research, 8(2), 139–141. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2015.2.23473 Google Scholar
Schredl, M., Cadiñanos Echevarria, N., Saint Macary, L., & Weiss, A. F. (2020). Partners and ex-partners in dreams: An online survey. International Journal of Dream Research, 13(2), 274–280. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2020.2.75338 Google Scholar
Schredl, M., Cadiñanos Echevarria, N., Saint Macary, L., & Weiss, A. F. (2021). Dreaming about one’s own children: An online survey. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 41(2), 222–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/02762366211017421 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schredl, M., Desch, S., Röming, F., & Spachmann, A. (2009). Erotic dreams and their relationship to waking-life sexuality. Sexologies, 18, 38–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sexol.2008.05.001 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schredl, M., & Neuhäusler, A. (2019). With or without you? Dreaming about the romantic partner – A case study. International Journal of Dream Research, 12(1), 141–146. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2019.1.59638 Google Scholar
Schredl, M., & Reinhard, I. (2012). Frequency of a romantic partner in a dream series. Dreaming, 22(4), 223–229. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030252 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schredl, M., & Wood, L. C. (2021). Partners and ex-partners in dreams: A diary study. Clocks & Sleep, 3(2), 289–297. https://doi.org/10.3390/clockssleep3020018 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Selterman, D., Apetroaia, A., & Waters, E. (2012). Script-like attachment representations in dreams containing current romantic partners. Attachment & Human Development, 14(5), 501–515. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2012.706395 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Selterman, D., & Drigotas, S. (2009). Attachment styles and emotional content, stress, and conflict in dreams of romantic partners. Dreaming, 19, 135–151. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017087 CrossRefGoogle Scholar