This paper is published in Volume-12, Issue-4, 2026
Area
Psychology
Author
Anahat Dhami
Org/Univ
Vasant Valley School, New Delhi, India
Keywords
Realistic Dreams, Adolescence, Subjective Interpretation, Emotional Regulation, Qualitative Analysis, Sensory Detail
Citations
IEEE
Anahat Dhami. What do our dreams mean? The Subjective Meaning of Dreams, International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, www.IJARIIT.com.
APA
Anahat Dhami (2026). What do our dreams mean? The Subjective Meaning of Dreams. International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 12(4) www.IJARIIT.com.
MLA
Anahat Dhami. "What do our dreams mean? The Subjective Meaning of Dreams." International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology 12.4 (2026). www.IJARIIT.com.
Anahat Dhami. What do our dreams mean? The Subjective Meaning of Dreams, International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, www.IJARIIT.com.
APA
Anahat Dhami (2026). What do our dreams mean? The Subjective Meaning of Dreams. International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 12(4) www.IJARIIT.com.
MLA
Anahat Dhami. "What do our dreams mean? The Subjective Meaning of Dreams." International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology 12.4 (2026). www.IJARIIT.com.
Abstract
This study explores the subjective nature of "realistic dreams" among adolescents aged 15–18, focusing on how these vivid nocturnal experiences are perceived and interpreted. While much of existing dream research emphasizes physiological data like REM cycles, this paper looks at the personal side—how sensory details and emotional intensity make a dream feel indistinguishable from reality. Using a qualitative approach, detailed accounts from participants were collected via structured questionnaires to identify patterns in dream content and its connection to waking life. The findings suggest that realistic dreams are not random; they are deeply tied to the dreamer’s daily stresses, relationships, and spiritual beliefs. Most notably, the data reveals that the emotional "hangover" from these dreams frequently influences a person’s mood and behavior long after they wake up. By highlighting these personal narratives, the study argues that dreaming serves as a vital tool for emotional regulation and self-reflection during the formative teenage years.
