Atividade onírica, sono e desempenho em exame nacional

Abstract

The elaboration of dream narratives results from the integration of multiple memory fragments, which are retrieved upon awakening. The Threat Simulation Theory suggests that dreams function as rehearsals for challenging situations, while another perspective emphasizes their role in emotional regulation. During REM sleep, neural circuit modulations occur linked to gene expression induced by wakefulness experiences, facilitating memory consolidation. This stage is also characterized by dreams with more complex structures and narratives. In adolescence, phase delay and a greater predisposition to eveningness may cause misalignments between biological rhythms and academic and social demands, negatively impacting academic performance. This study investigated the relationship between sleep, dreams, mood states, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and performance in a national examination, based on data from 631 participants. Additionally, a subgroup of 25 participants used actigraphy to monitor activity-rest patterns during the exam period. Dream reports were collected and analyzed in terms of frequency, emotional valence, and content. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistical procedures, including analysis of variance with post-hoc tests, generalized linear models (GLM), and a classifier based on a natural language processing (NLP) model. Furthermore, a hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify association patterns among sleep-related variables, dreams, mood states, and exam performance. The results indicated a predominance of negative dreams before the first day of the exam, possibly reflecting the role of dreams in emotional regulation in contexts of high relevance for the dreamer. Additionally, the observed dream content supports the Threat Simulation Theory. Poor sleep quality and a high frequency of bad dreams in the previous month were significant predictors of exam performance, along with the impact of the pandemic on sleep routines. This study highlights the importance of dreams not only as an intrinsic sleep phenomenon but also as relevant indicators for interventions aimed at improving sleep quality and emotional regulation in young individuals, particularly in contexts of high cognitive demand, such as selective examinations. These findings broaden the understanding of the interaction between sleep patterns, dream content, mood states, and academic performance.