COVID-19 Dreams Study
The global pandemic of COVID-19 infections has influenced the sleep and dreams of countless individuals in unexpected ways. The media is abuzz with reports on dreams and nightmares about the pandemic threat.
Researchers led by Tore Nielsen, Ph.D., Director of the Dream & Nightmare Lab of the CIUSSS-NÎM - Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal Research Center, are conducting a study to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced dreaming. Anyone who is at least 18 years old may participate. To do so, please read this consent form and if you agree, check the box below; you will be linked to an online questionnaire to fill-out. In that online questionnaire, you will record a dream and respond to additional questions about your dreams, personal demographics, mental health, personality, levels of stress and other information related to the pandemic. Altogether, this questionnaire should require 20-40 minutes of your time depending upon the length of your dream report.
If you find any of the questions too personal, you can opt to leave these answers blank. Your answers concerning medical conditions and drug use will not be shown to hospital doctors or health care providers.
Your responses will be completely anonymous and confidential, we will not ask for information that could identify you, like your name, address or email. Your responses will be stored in a secure database maintained by Dr. Tore Nielsen and his research team at the Research Center. Only researchers and graduate students who are involved in this study will have access to this database and the responses will be used only for research purposes. Your results may be shared, confidentially, with collaborators in other labs as part of international efforts to understand the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The responses you provide may be used, before the scheduled date of destruction, as part of a few research projects as part of international efforts to understand the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These potential projects will be authorized by a research ethics committee. The research team is committed to maintaining and protecting the confidentiality of your information under the same conditions as for this project.
The general results of the study may appear in a publication or other document, but your identity will not be disclosed.
While there are no personal benefits to you participating in this study, you will be contributing to the advancement of this important area of science. There is however, no risk in participating in this study and the only drawback remains the time required to answer the questionnaire.
The results of the project will be published on the laboratory website presented as general data for the whole group of participants. This means that you will not be able to get your individual results.
For any question concerning your rights as a participant in this study or if you have any complaints or comments to make, you can contact the Service and Complaints Commissioner of the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île- de-Montréal) to the commissaire.plaintes.cnmtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
The Research Ethics Board of the CIUSSS NIM approved this research project and is responsible for its monitoring.
Summary of consent:
I am at least 18 years old. My participation is voluntary and I may withdraw at any time and for any reason. I am free to not answer some questions if I wish. My responses will be kept strictly anonymous, identified only by a Unique Participant Code, and will remain confidentially stored on a secure server.
The principal investigator, Tore Nielsen and his research team, agree to comply with what has been agreed to in the consent form.
By checking this box below, I signify that I have read this consent form and that, after reflection, I consent to participate in this research project under the conditions stated therein.
I agree with the Summary of Consent above:
example: Canada
State/Province/Region you are in:
example: New York/Quebec/NWT
Date that you signed the consent form
* must provide value
Today Y-M-D YYYY-MM-DD
Have you previously logged into the Virtual Dream Lab?
No Yes, prior to the pandemic Yes, during the pandemic
Type out or paste your dream about COVID-19, social distancing, or other aspect of the pandemic here:
* must provide value
please provide as much detail as possible
When did you have this dream?
yesterday 2 days ago 3 days ago 4 days ago 5 days ago 6 days ago 7 days ago 8 days ago 9 days ago 10 days ago more than 10 days ago
How vivid is your recollection of this dream?
Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely
What was the main emotional tone of this dream?
Very negative Somewhat negative Neutral Somewhat positive Very positive
How did the emotional tone within this dream change over time?
no change
from neutral to negative
from neutral to positive
from negative to neutral
from positive to neutral
from negative to positive
from positive to negative
Which specific emotion was PREDOMINANT in this dream?
none anger awe confusion disgust embarassment fear frustration guilt happiness surprise joy jealousy sadness sexual arousal other cannot remember
How intense was this emotion?
Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely
What OTHER emotions were present in this dream?
Would you consider this dream to be a nightmare (that is, a very bad dream)?
No
Yes
Not sure
Did you wake up from this dream?
No
Yes
Yes but only briefly then returned to sleep
How distressed were you by the content of this dream after you woke up?
Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely
The setting of the dream was:
indoors outdoors both at different times not sure cannot remember
What is the most important prior experience to which this dream might refer?
When did you have this prior experience (or last think about it)?
yesterday 2 days ago 3 days ago 4 days ago 5 days ago 6 days ago 7 days ago 8 days ago 9 days ago 10 days ago more than 10 days ago
What kinds of characters were in your dream:
check all that apply
Did your dream contain any of the following sensations?
How has your dream recall changed compared to before the pandemic?
Now, I remember my dreams:
Much less than before Somewhat less than before About the same as before Somewhat more than before Much more than before
Compared to before the pandemic, are your dreams stranger?
Now, my dreams are:
Much less strange than before Somewhat less strange than before About the same as before Somewhat more strange than before Much more strange than before
Have your recent dreams contained any of the following? Please check all that have appeared in any of your dreams.
you are not social distancing properly
someone else is not social distancing properly
someone is breaking some other government rule
you have COVID-19
someone close to you has COVID-19
a stranger has COVID-19
you have a non-COVID-19 illness
someone else has some other illness
you died for any reason
someone else died (eg, family member, celebrity, friend, partner)
the virus is present elsewhere in the setting
protective equipment like masks, gloves, etc
sanitary supplies: Purell, toilet paper, disinfectants, wipes, etc.
apocalyptic events: hurricane, earthquake, thunderstorm, etc.
zombies, aliens, invaders, etc.
insects or reptiles: ants, spiders, flies, mosquitoes, snakes
other threatening creatures
other threatening situations
a media celebrity
former romantic or sexual partners
communicating normally via Zoom, Skype, etc
problems communicating via Zoom, Skype, etc
there is a vaccine, treatment, or cure for the pandemic
COVID-19 is eradicated or the pandemic is over
COVID-19 has killed everyone
COVID-19 is a joke or scam
concerns about insurance or healthcare
concerns about self-care (eg, make-up, haircut, shaving)
political figures or governmental bodies
friendly physical contact with other people (eg, hugs, kisses, handshakes) (with or without awareness of social distancing)
video games/TV shows
racism/injustice related to COVID-19
puns about corona or virus (eg, corona beers, computer virus)
something wrong with your body
something you miss or wish you could do (eg, travelling, favorite food, dating)
seeing or being in a crowded place (store, crowd, concert, party)
you may check all that apply
How many dreams of any kind did you recall in an average month BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
0 1-2 3-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31+
How many dreams of any kind do you recall in an average month NOW?
0 1-2 3-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31+
How many nightmares (very bad dreams) did you recall in an average month BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
0 1-2 3-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31+
How many nightmares do you recall in an average month NOW?
0 1-2 3-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31+
Typically, how distressed by your nightmares were you BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely
Typically, how distressed by your nightmares are you NOW?
Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely
How many lucid dreams (being aware of dreaming while dreaming) did you recall in an average month BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
0 1-2 3-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31+
How many lucid dreams do you recall in an average month NOW?
0 1-2 3-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31+
In the past month, how often have you dreamed about a member of your family?
Not at all At least once in the last month At least once in the last week At least once in the last three days At least once a night
In the past month, how often have you dreamed about your friends?
Not at all At least once in the last month At least once in the last week At least once in the last three days At least once a night
In the past month, how often have you dreamed about your sexual or romantic partners?
Not at all At least once in the last month At least once in the last week At least once in the last three days At least once a night
In the past month, how often have you dreamed about physical interactions with someone, eg, hugging, kissing, touching?
Not at all At least once in the last month At least once in the last week At least once in the last three days At least once a night
Female Male Intersex Other
Woman Man Transgender Other
you may check more than one
Not affiliated with any religious group, e.g., agnostic, atheist, non-religious Catholic Protestant Orthodox Jewish Buddhist Hindu Muslim Taoist Aboriginal spirituality Parareligious group, e.g., Pagan Other
With which culture do you identify yourself the most?
0 - $10 000 $10 001 - $20 000 $20 001 - $30 000 $30 001 - $40 000 $40 001 - $50 000 $50 001 - $60 000 $60 001 - $70 000 $70 001 - $80 000 $80 001 - $90 000 $90 001 - $100 000 $100 001 - $110 000 $110 001 or more
strongly left moderately left centrist moderately right strongly right other no interest at all
leave blank if you prefer inches
leave blank if you prefer centimeters
leave blank if you prefer pounds
leave blank if you prefer kilograms
In the past year, how often on average have you consumed recreational drugs?
I did not consume any Several times per week Once per week Two or three times per month Once per month Two to eleven times per year Once per year
Which recreational drugs have you consumed?
In the past year, how often on average have you practiced meditation?
Several times per week Once per week Two or three times per month Once per month Two to eleven times per year Once per year Not at all
Have you ever been diagnosed with a major medical/psychiatric condition?
No Yes
If Yes, please provide details:
What is your current condition?
How many hours of sleep did you have on a typical weekday BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
How many hours of sleep do you have on a typical weekday NOW?
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
How many hours of sleep did you have on a typical weekend BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
How many hours of sleep do you have on a typical weekend NOW?
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
At what time of the day did you think that you reached your 'feeling best' peak BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
12:00 AM 1:00 AM 2:00 AM 3:00 AM 4:00 AM 5:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM
At what time of the day do you think that you reach your 'feeling best' peak NOW?
12:00 AM 1:00 AM 2:00 AM 3:00 AM 4:00 AM 5:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM
A morning person is someone who performs and feels better in the morning hours of the day whereas an evening person is someone who performs and feels better in the late afternoon or evening. Which one of these types did you consider yourself to be BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
Definitely a morning type. Rather more a morning than an evening type. Rather more an evening than a morning type. Definitely an evening type.
Which one of these types do you consider yourself to be NOW?
Definitely a morning type. Rather more a morning than an evening type. Rather more an evening than a morning type. Definitely an evening type.
Which of the following best describes you emotionally?
I find it relatively easy to get close to others and am comfortable depending on them and having them depend on me. I don't often worry about being abandoned or about someone getting too close to me.
I am somewhat uncomfortable being close to others; I find it difficult to trust them completely, difficult to allow myself to depend on them. I am nervous when anyone gets too close, and often, love partners want me to be more intimate than I feel comfortable being.
I find that others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. I often worry that my partner doesn't really love me or won't want to stay with me. I want to merge completely with another person, and this desire sometimes scares people away.
How many weeks have you been in a stay-at-home situation?
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 more than 24 weeks
Indicate your level of fear in a situation where you have to meet strangers.
Not at all Slight Moderate Very Extreme
Indicate your level of fear when you are in situations where you have to perform in front of a group.
Not at all Slight Moderate Very Extreme
Indicate your level of fear in situations when you are being observed by other people.
Not at all Slight Moderate Very Extreme
If you have experienced any of the following traumas in your lifetime, please give a brief description of the most severe trauma you have experienced (if you feel comfortable doing so) and then complete the ratings below for it.
• assaultive violence (combat / kidnapped / tortured / shot / stabbed / beaten / threatened with weapon / mugged / held-up / sexually assaulted / raped);
• injury or other shocking experience (serious accident / natural disaster / life-threatening illness);
• witnessed violence or discovered a dead body;
• learned about trauma experienced by a loved one;
• learned about the sudden unexpected death of a loved one
Trauma description:
leave blank if you prefer not to describe your trauma
Have you suffered any of the trauma listed above?
No Yes, 1 time Yes, 2 times Yes, 3 times Yes, 4 times or more
Please rate the severity of the most serious trauma you experienced if you had one:
none mild moderate severe extreme
Age at which trauma occurred if you had one:
no trauma 0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-99 100-109
What is your COVID-19 status?
I have tested negative for the illness
I have not been tested, but never had symptoms of the illness
I have not been tested, but likely have or had the illness based on the nature of my symptoms
I tested positive for the illness but remained completely asymptomatic
I tested positive and have or had only mild symptoms
I tested positive and have or had severe symptoms but was not hospitalized
I tested positive and was hospitalized but never on a respirator
I tested positive and was hospitalized and on a respirator
Other
Please indicate which of the following applied to you:
I never had Covid-19 I completely recovered from Covid-19 I recovered from Covid-19 but have residual minor complications I recovered from Covid-19 but have residual major complications During my illness with Covid-19, I experienced psychiatric symptoms
If you were in the hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or on a respirator with COVID-19, please indicate which of the following applied to you:
check all that apply
Please provide details of your ICU experience if you wish:
How many people do you know (close family, extended family, friend, friend of a friend, work colleague) who have been hospitalized (but have not died) due to COVID-19?
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 more than 10
How many people do you know (close family, extended family, friend, friend of a friend, work colleague) who have died from COVID-19?
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 more than 10
Some individuals are more at risk of getting COVID-19 or of developing COVID-19 complications; do any of these apply to you?
check all that apply
Do any such individuals currently live with you?
check all that apply
What is your current work situation?
Unemployed since pre-pandemic
Unemployed since pandemic
Working from home
Working in essential service other than healthcare
Working in care facility in non COVID-19 wards
Working in care facility in COVID-19 wards
Are you doing telework such as Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, etc?
not at all part-time full-time
Have you received any governmental funds to compensate for lost work?
Do you have children at home who you take care of?
check all that apply
How would you describe your internet/wi-fi access relative to your current needs?
none less than sufficient sufficient more than sufficient excellent
On average, what level of stress did you experience in your life BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?
none mild moderate severe extreme
On average, how much stress are you experiencing in your life NOW?
none mild moderate severe extreme
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