THE RELATIONSHIPS OF SLEEP-WAKE RHYTHM, DREAM EXPERIENCE, HUMAN FIELD MOTION, AND TIME EXPERIENCE IN OLDER WOMEN (WOMEN ELDERLY).
Contributors: New York University.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 320
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Experimental.
Description: Martha E. Rogers' conceptual model was used to test a theory about sleep-wake rhythm changes commonly observed in older adults. The relationships among three manifestations of patterning were explored: sleeping/waking/beyond waking, human field motion, and time experience.

The sleeping/waking/beyond waking manifestation of patterning was operationalized as sleep-wake rhythm and dream experience; these were the criterion variables. Diversity of sleep-wake rhythm was measured using a modified sleep chart. Diversity of dream experience was measured using the Assessment of Dream Experience, developed by the investigator. The predictor variables were human field motion, as measured with the Human Field Motion Tool, and time experience, as measured with the Time Metaphor Test. The hypothesis was that there would be at least one significant relationship between the set of scores of sleep-wake rhythm and dream experience, and the set of scores of human field motion and time experience. The relationships were tested using correlational, regression, and canonical correlation techniques.

The convenience sample consisted of 66 women, ages 60 to 83, who met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The sample was representative of the population to be studied with the exceptions of levels of education and physical activity, which were higher than national norms. The sleep-wake characteristics of the sample were comparable to those in other investigations. A small but statistically significant correlation (r =.2945, p =.05) between the criterion variables was found. There were no other correlations among the main variables, and regression and canonical analyses did not yield significant results. The hypothesis was not supported. Supplementary analysis revealed a small but statistically significant correlation (r =.2863, p =.05) between age and time experience. This was not as theoretically expected, and may have been due to characteristics of the sample. There were no correlations between age and the other main variables.

Findings were discussed according to Martha Rogers' conceptual model. Problems with instrumentation, especially the Human Field Motion Tool and the Time Metaphor Test, were the most likely reasons for lack of support of the hypothesis. Recommendations for further research were made.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-12, Section: B, page: 6137.

Thesis (PH.D.)--NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, 1993.

School code: 0146.