Dreams with Sexual Imagery: Gender Differences in Content between Canadians and Italians

Abstract

This research extends previous investigations on dreams with sexual imagery while beginning the empirical investigation across cultures and between genders. To extend previous cultural research, sexual dream imagery and frequency between Italian and Canadian men and women were examined. The first study consisted of two samples of 267 dreams (112 male and 155 female) from Trent University, Canada and Tor Vergata University, Italy. The second study consisted of two samples of 100 dreams with sexual content (50 male and 50 female) from Canadian and Italian students. Computer textual analysis of dream content categories revealed that sexual imagery and frequency of sexual dream content was consistent with previous research. New findings were found between the two cultures and across gender. For dreams in general, differences were found between Italian males and Italian females, and, between Italian females and Canadian females. These studies show that both cultural and gender differences are relevant for dreams with sexual imagery. Further investigations are warranted and should be extended to other cultural groups now that the protocol has been established through these studies. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Experiences of nursing students regarding sexual dreams.

“…It is interesting to note that some participants in the study by Yu and Fu (2011) were uncertain about the identities of the dream characters but spontaneously associated them with their acquaintances. In this study, there were no gender-related differences in terms of sexual dreams about an ex-lover, as both sexes showed similar results, corresponding with results of the Zanasi et al (2012) study. This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.…”

“…According to Freud's analysis, the function of these erotic dreams is to allow us to detect certain obstacles/blockages and even to free them. The dreamer's imagination allows a desired story to be played out or even for subconscious urges to be satisfied (Zanasi, DeCicco, Dale, Musolino, & Wright, 2012).…”

“…However, on an international level, there are certain studies that have been more thorough on sexual dreams in university students. Specifically, Zanasi et al (2012) compared sexual dreams among Canadian and Italian university students and stated that there were cultural and gender differences found. Although there were no excessive significant differences between the male participants, the female Canadian university students had more dreams with sexual and emotional content than those from Italy.…”

Targets of erotic dreams and their associations with waking couple and sexual life.

“…However, ∼16% of men and 18% of women reported experiencing erotic dreams “often” or “very often,” which support that these sexually related dreams are usual. Although the lack of a significant sex difference in the prevalence of erotic dreams contrasts with results from some studies (Gutiérrez-Puertas et al, 2017; Schredl et al, 2009), it is consistent with findings from Canadian samples (Zadra, 2007; Zanasi et al, 2012). Thus, cultural differences surrounding sexuality and open attitudes may be at play in the general prevalence rate of sexual dreams in men and women.…”

“…Following the landmark findings first published in the late 1940s and early 1950s by the Kinsey Institute (Kinsey et al, 1948, 1953), numerous questionnaire-based studies have shown that erotic dreams are highly prevalent, with ∼85% of men and 75% of women reporting having experienced an erotic dream at least once in their life (Griffith et al, 1958; Nielsen et al, 2003; Schredl et al, 2004; Yu, 2008; Zanasi et al, 2012). Moreover, studies on the actual frequency of sexual dreams in people’s everyday dream reports (Hall & Van de Castle, 1966; Mathes & Schredl, 2014; Zadra, 2007; Zadra & Gervais, 2011) reveal that between 4% and 12% of men’s dreams and 4% to 8% of women’s dreams contain sexual experiences, ranging from sexual thoughts or proposals to kissing and fondling to intercourse.…”