Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Sleep Paralysis: Moderating Role of Personality among University Students of Pakistan
Contributors
-
Fiza Rehman
Senior Lecturer/PhD Fellow, Department of Clinical Psychology, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9103-8440
- Sundus Khattak PhD Fellow, Department of Clinical Psychology, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Dr. Wardah Ishfaq Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Abstract
Sleep paralysis, a phenomenon characterized by temporary muscle immobility during the transition between sleep and wakefulness, is often associated with heightened stress, anxiety, and other psychological factors. This present study investigates the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep paralysis, considering personality’s moderating effects. Data was collected using purposive sampling. A total of 200 students, aged 18 to 26 completed standardized measures including the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, the Big Five Personality Test, and a subset of the Unusual Sleep Experiences Questionnaire. Results showed that there is a significant relationship between anxiety and sleep paralysis, (r = .244, p<.01) and stress and sleep paralysis (r = .161, p<.01). Additionally, agreeableness was found to significantly moderate the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep paralysis. Furthermore, chi-square test of independence showed insignificant association between genders and sleep paralysis with χ2 (3, N=200) = 2.137, p=.544. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing insights for clinicians and highlight the importance of considering both psychological distress and individual personality differences when examining sleep paralysis among young adults.
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Corresponding Author
Fiza Rehman
Senior Lecturer/PhD Fellow, Department of Clinical Psychology, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Corresponding Author: [email protected]
