Nearly A Third Of American Adults Still Scared Of The Dark

1 In 10 Sleep With The Lights Fully On, While The Same Number Keep Stuffed Animals In The Bed

NEW YORK — Many grown-ups never outgrew their fear of what lurks in the shadows. Nearly three in 10 American adults still face fear of the dark, according to a Talker Research survey. Even more surprising: one in 10 adults continue sleeping with a stuffed animal or comfort item to feel secure at night.

Among 2,000 Americans surveyed in late September, 29% admitted they still harbor this childhood fear well into adulthood. Men reported slightly higher rates than women, at 33% compared to 26%. Perhaps more telling are the coping mechanisms adults employ. A quarter of respondents sleep with a nightlight, while 10% keep lights on throughout the night. Men were twice as likely as women to sleep with lights fully on (15% versus 7%).

“With everything in October’s ‘spooky season’ (from horror movies to haunted houses and other Halloween celebrations) it’s no wonder that some Americans aren’t sleeping as well this month,” said Laura Scott, director of brand marketing at Avocado Green Mattress, which commissioned the research. “People may be staying up later to celebrate in the weeks leading up to Halloween, and especially if they’re watching horror movies, our data shows their sleep may suffer as a result.”

Horror Movies Hit Men Harder

When it comes to scary films, men appear caught in a psychological catch-22. Despite being more enthusiastic horror fans (33% of men “love” watching horror movies compared to 24% of women), men face worse sleep consequences afterward. Nearly a quarter of men reported “always” or “often” having nightmares following horror films, compared to just 13% of women.

Women were more likely to feel scared during and immediately after watching horror content, with 41% reporting fear versus 28% of men. But the delayed psychological effect seems to hit men harder. One in five women said they “hate” horror movies altogether, compared to only 7% of men who shared that view.

Beyond nightmares, horror films disrupt sleep in measurable ways. After watching scary content, 28% of respondents were more likely to wake up during the night, 22% had lower-quality sleep, and 12% slept fewer hours overall.

The Daylight Saving Time Confusion

Adding to Americans’ sleep troubles this fall is the upcoming end of Daylight Saving Time on November 2. The survey revealed widespread confusion about the time change itself. Nearly one-third of respondents incorrectly believed they would lose an hour of sleep (when in fact they gain one), and 13% weren’t sure which direction the clocks would move.

About 20% of those surveyed said adjusting to the time change would take more than a week. While 39% considered the trade-off of an extra hour of sleep for darker evenings worthwhile, a significant majority (62%) said they would eliminate the time change altogether if given the choice. This sentiment echoes findings from a 2024 study showing similar preferences.

Scott stressed the need for sleep preparation during these transitional periods. “Making sure to get a good night’s sleep in the days leading up to the time change can help your body adjust (as well as switching your clocks as soon as you get up) to help your mind focus on the ‘new’ time,” she advised.

Childhood Fears That Never Fade

Experts have long known that some childhood anxieties persist into adulthood, though many people feel embarrassed to admit it. The clinical term for severe fear of darkness is nyctophobia, and it’s rooted in evolutionary psychology. Our ancestors faced genuine threats during nighttime hours, when predators had the advantage and danger was harder to spot.

Modern adults face few real dangers in the dark, yet that ancient fear response persists. Cultural factors may also shape how people admit to this fear. Men reporting higher rates contradicts stereotypes about masculinity and fearlessness, suggesting that social expectations around gender and emotion may affect how people respond to survey questions about vulnerability.

The persistence of comfort objects and nightlights into adulthood speaks to a broader truth about human psychology: we don’t simply “outgrow” all childhood coping mechanisms. Instead, many adults quietly maintain these habits, adapting them to fit their grown-up lives. A nightlight in the bathroom. A childhood stuffed animal tucked discreetly on a closet shelf but retrieved during stressful times. These small rituals serve the same purpose they always did: creating a sense of safety when darkness falls.