Principal Investigator: Dr. Westley Youngren, Ph.D.
University of Missouri-Kansas City
School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences
Our lab research focuses on the intersection of sleep and trauma, with a particular emphasis on trauma-related nightmares. Our current research concentrates on integrating sleep and dreaming science within trauma informed care, examining the relationship between nightmares and suicide, and utilizing advanced statistical analyses to examine large pre-existing databases. Our research commonly employs longitudinal research methods, ecological momentary assessment, polysomnography, and treatment outcome studies.
We were recently featured on NPR. Check the article and podcast out here:
We were featured in the cover story of the APA Monitor on Psychology journal. Check the article out here:
We were recently featured on Inverse. Check the article out here:
https://www.inverse.com/science/dreams-nightmares-psychology-science
Dr. Youngren was recently featured on The Innovator Spotlight. Check the article out here:
https://umkcinnovates.com/2025/01/30/innovator-spotlight-dream-big-dream-better/
We recently traveled to Baltimore, MD for the SLEEP Annual Conference to present. Here are the projects we took:
Title: Targeted Dream Incubation’s Impact on Dream Self-Efficacy, Nightmares, Suicide, PTSD, and Insomnia.
Authors: Youngren, W.A., West Staples, V., Angle, E.M., Horowitz, A., Carr, A., Konkoly, K., Bernal, G., & Stickgold, R.
Title: Trauma-Related Sleep Processes and Mental Health: The Roles of Dream Self-Efficacy and Nightmare Distress.
Authors: West Staples, V., Youngren, W.A., Angle, E., Horowitz, A., Carr, M., Konkoly, K., & Bernal, G., & Stickgold, R.
Studies Currently Accepting Participants
UMKC Students: We are using Psychpool! https://umkc.sona-systems.com/default.aspx?p_return_experiment_id=233
Others: email nitelaboratory@gmail.com