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The paper examined how dissociation is experienced and manifested in the drawings and narratives of female survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. Fifteen Israeli women filled out a self-report questionnaire consisting of demographics, traumatic events, and dissociation severity. Then, they were asked to draw a dissociation experience and provide a narrative. The results indicated that experiencing CSA was highly correlated with indicators such as the level of fragmentation, the figurative style, as well as with the narrative. Two main themes emerged: a constant movement between internal and external worlds, and distorted perceptions of time and space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissociative motor disorder is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of dissociative disorder in the Indian population, especially among adolescents. However, there is a dearth of literature on effective psychotherapy practices in the Indian setting. This article details the unique process of employing an integrative psychotherapy approach with a 16-year-old adolescent girl diagnosed with dissociative motor disorder who presented with complaints of headache, deviation of mouth, multiple somatic complaints, inability to move her legs, episodes of loss of consciousness with jerking of upper limbs and a non-pervasive low mood. A detailed evaluation highlighted significant disruptions in attachment with caregivers, complicated grief, significant anger towards her family which did not find a space for expression, unhealthy coping mechanisms in the background of a slow-to-warm-up temperament and sociocultural stressors. The case formulation drew elements from the psychodynamic perspective, family systems approach, biosocial theory and the cognitive behavioural perspective. The intervention from the first session until termination is delineated in different phases which outline the significant themes that emerged along with the techniques used, challenges faced and therapist reflections. The role of the therapeutic alliance, working through transference, systemic work, primary and secondary gains and the importance of defences along with the aftermath of losing them becomes especially salient as the psychotherapy progresses in this case. The implications of the therapy process that can hold relevance to the management of dissociation disorder in the clinical setting are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is established evidence that childhood/adolescent victimization is associated with victimization in adulthood although the underlying mechanisms are not still clear. The current study aimed to systematically review empirical studies examining potential psychological factors linking childhood maltreatment to victimization in adulthood and the gaps in the literature. Following PRISMA protocol, 71 original studies consisting of a total sample of n = 31,633 subjects were analyzed. Symptom severity for various trauma-related disorders, dissociation, emotion dysregulation, and risky sexual behaviors emerged as potential predictors of revictimization. While these potential risk factors mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adulthood victimization, evidence for additional factors such as social support, attachment styles, maladaptive schemas, and risk detection is very limited. Addressing these intrapersonal risk factors, found by prior studies, in interventions and preventive programs might decrease the probability of revictimization. The interactions between the identified risk factors have not been studied well yet. Hence, more research on mediating risk factors of revictimization is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dissociation remains a controversial topic in terms of its prevalence, cross-cultural validity, and relationship with childhood trauma and adversities. Aims: This study investigated the prevalence of dissociative symptoms and probable dissociative disorders among Chinese high school students and tested the trauma model of dissociation. Methods: A total of N = 1,720 high school students completed standardized measures of positive and adverse childhood experiences (PCEs and ACEs), dissociation, depression, and anxiety. Results: The prevalence rates of dissociative symptoms and (probable) DSM-5 dissociative disorders (DDs) were 11.2% and 6.9%, respectively. Dissociation was a reliable construct (ICC =.682 to.752, p <.001) and was moderately correlated with general psychopathology (r =.424 with depressive symptoms, r =.423 with anxiety symptoms). Participants with a probable DD reported more ACEs, fewer PCEs, and more mental health symptoms than those without a probable DD. ACEs were significantly associated with dissociative symptoms (β =.107, p <.001) even after controlling for age, depressive, and anxiety symptoms. PCEs moderated the relationship between ACEs and dissociative symptoms. Conclusions: This is the first report of the prevalence of dissociative symptoms and probable DSM-5 DDs among nonclinical children. We provide cross-cultural evidence that dissociation is a reliable and valid clinical phenomenon associated with psychopathology in children across cultures. The findings partly support the trauma model of dissociation. This study contributes to the limited literature on dissociation in children. It also offers empirical data to facilitate the ongoing controversy about (childhood) trauma and dissociation. Our findings imply that dissociation is cross-culturally associated with childhood adversities, but trauma is not the only, sufficient cause. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) has recently been recognized as an official psychiatric diagnosis in ICD-11, after years of research and advocacy in the field. It has been suggested that dissociative symptoms are a major feature of CPTSD. This scoping review aimed to summarize the existing knowledge base on the relationship between dissociation and CPTSD, and to identify relevant research gaps. We searched the two largest and most widely used academic databases (i.e., the Web of Science and Scopus databases) and the ProQuest database and identified original studies published in English relevant to our research questions, namely: (1) Would CPTSD be associated with dissociative symptoms? 2) How common are dissociative symptoms among people with CPTSD? (3) What are the correlates of dissociative symptoms among people with CPTSD? In all, 26 studies were included. We found 10 studies which reported that people with CPTSD scored significantly higher on a dissociation measure than those without CPTSD, and 11 studies reported a positive correlation between CPTSD symptoms and psychoform/somatoform dissociation scores. While very few studies reported the prevalence and correlates of dissociative symptoms among people with CPTSD, there may be a considerable subgroup of people with CPTSD who have clinically significant levels of dissociative symptoms (e.g., 28.6–76.9%). Dissociation may also be associated with other comorbidities (e.g., DSM-IV Axis II features, shame, somatic symptoms) in people with CPTSD. We recommend that more studies are needed to investigate the prevalence of dissociative symptoms among people with CPTSD and examine how these symptoms are associated with other comorbid conditions and clinical needs in this vulnerable group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious health concern, occurring worldwide in various forms and settings. Over the past years, multiple sources reported an increase of IPV globally, partly related to COVID-19 restrictions. Childhood maltreatment enhances the risk of IPV, possibly via alterations in emotion regulation, attachment, maladaptive core beliefs, dissociation, and psychopathological symptoms. However, studies investigating these associations simultaneously are still needed. This study aimed to investigate association between IPV, childhood maltreatment severity, maladaptive schemata (mistrust, alienation, enmeshment), attachment anxiety, social support, emotion regulation, dissociation, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms. We further explored the complex interplay of all factors, accounting for their shared associations. An anonymous online survey was posted on international online platforms for people experiencing domestic violence and on research platforms. Regression analyses and graph-theoretical network analysis were used to explore associations between all variables. N = 434 participants (40% in treatment) completed the survey. IPV perpetration and victimization were highly correlated. Both were significantly associated with childhood maltreatment severity, early maladaptive schemata, dissociation, BPD features, and PTSD symptoms. When including all variables in one model, IPV was associated with dissociation, which indirectly linked it to childhood maltreatment experiences, PTSD symptoms, withdrawal, and self-blame. Our findings suggest that IPV perpetration and victimization often co-occur. Dissociation may be an important bridge symptom, linking IPV to childhood maltreatment experiences, PTSD symptoms, and maladaptive coping. Prospective studies are needed to corroborate these findings and to establish psychological mechanisms underlying IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dissociative Symptoms Scale (DSS) was developed to assess moderately severe types of dissociation (depersonalization, derealization, gaps in awareness and memory, and dissociative reexperiencing) that would be relevant to a range of clinical populations, including those experiencing trauma-related dissociation. The current study used data from 10 ethnically and racially diverse clinical and community samples (N = 3,879) to develop a brief version of the DSS (DSS-B). Item information curves were examined to identify items with the most precision in measuring above average levels of the latent trait within each subscale. Analyses revealed that the DSS-B preserved the factor structure and content domains of the full scale, and its scores had strong reliability and validity that were comparable to those of scores on the full measure. DSS-B scores showed high levels of measurement invariance across ethnoracial groups. Results indicate that DSS-B scores are reliable and valid in the populations studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revictimization research, to date, has primarily focused on sexual revictimization (i.e., child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault), which has resulted in a lack of understanding of trauma revictimization more generally. Specifically, it is unclear what factors are placing individuals with a history of child maltreatment (i.e., sexual abuse, physical abuse, and witnessing intimate partner violence [IPV]) at greater risk for subsequent adult victimization (i.e., sexual assault and IPV). Existing theoretical and empirical work on revictimization suggest that multiple risk factors are likely present within this framework (e.g., posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS], emotion dysregulation, and risk-taking behaviors). Prior research has suggested that PTSS are often linked with these other risk factors, and it is possible that the development of PTSS following child maltreatment may be related to the development or maintenance of additional factors that increase the likelihood of revictimization. The purpose of this review was to synthesize findings regarding risk factors that place maltreated individuals at greater risk for adult revictimization. Approximately 228 studies were identified following a thorough search of the peer-reviewed literature using multiple databases (PsycINFO, PILOTS, and Google Scholar). Each study was critically analyzed for relevance. The included studies were used in our review of prevalence, specific risk factors that have been identified, and unanswered questions in this literature. PTSS were noted to be particularly important in the revictimization framework, and thus, a novel model of revictimization was also proposed where PTSS are illustrated as being associated with the development and maintenance of other factors within the revictimization framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissociation in child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors remains under-recognized and diagnosed, partly because of the difficulties involved in identifying dissociative symptoms. Qualitative research can contribute to a better understanding of the lived experiences of dissociation. This study focused on the experiences of dissociation in the context of CSA. In all, 22 female incest survivors, all diagnosed with different dissociative disorders, provided narratives about their experiences of dissociation. The narratives were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The narrative analysis revealed four central themes. The first theme deals with reliving the experience of the abuse. The second theme refers to the experience of disconnection from the body, the self, and the surroundings. The third theme covers the lack of coherence in the narrative, and the fourth theme describes the bridge between voluntary controlled and nonvoluntary uncontrolled use of dissociation. The data are discussed in light of several traumagenic constructs, including a lack of self-sense, being entrapped in a victim–aggressor relationship, and distorted time perception. It is suggested that the extent to which participants can control their dissociation and the coherency of their narratives reflects the severity of their dissociation. Clinicians can consider helping clients use dissociation as an adaptive defense mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizotypy is a multidimensional personality construct that is understood as a vulnerability for schizophrenia, often manifesting as more subtle and attenuated symptoms, referred to as schizotypic psychopathology. It has many well-established environmental risk factors, including experiencing childhood maltreatment (CM), but the intermediary mechanisms that relate CM to schizotypic psychopathology are unclear. Prior studies have demonstrated that trait dissociation may indirectly affect the relationship between CM and schizotypic psychopathology. However, less is known about the importance of peritraumatic dissociative experiences during CM and how it relates to schizotypic symptom manifestations in young adulthood. Therefore, the present study explored the independent contributions of peritraumatic and trait dissociation in the relationship between CM and schizotypy. Participants (N = 346) were undergraduate students who completed online self-report measures on CM, trait dissociation, peritraumatic dissociation experienced during CM, and schizotypic symptoms. The indirect effect of peritraumatic dissociation and trait dissociation on the relationship between CM and schizotypy was examined using mediational analyses. Correlational analyses revealed significant associations between self-reported CM, schizotypy, trait dissociation, and peritraumatic dissociation. In addition, mediational analyses indicated a significant indirect effect of peritraumatic dissociation (β =.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.01, 0.12]), but not trait dissociation (β =.05, 95% CI [−0.02, 0.12]), on CM and schizotypy. These results highlight peritraumatic dissociation as an important mechanism driving the expression of schizotypic symptoms among individuals with a history of CM. Understanding how trauma sequelae lead to schizotypic psychopathology may be crucial in assessing and treating individuals with maltreatment histories or those on the psychosis spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite a robust consensus regarding the potentially negative implications of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), research investigating risk and protective factors—particularly among well-functioning young adults—is scant. Dissociation is one of the major maladaptive outcomes of CSA. Nevertheless, CSA explains only about 10% of the variance of dissociation. Possibly, this modest effect size is due to protective factors moderating the relation between CSA and dissociative symptoms. One such factor may be the extent to which one has succeeded in developing a clear and coherent sense of who they are. Objective: We aimed to explore whether self-concept clarity (SCC) moderates the relationship between CSA and dissociation (Model 1), and an alternative hypothesis, whereby CSA may moderate the relationship between SCC and dissociation (Model 2). Participants and Setting: This was tested among 65 well-functioning young women drawn from an earlier study that intentionally oversampled CSA survivors. Methods: We included data from survivors of CSA by a known perpetrator (n = 35) and women with no sexual trauma (n = 30). Results: Findings were consistent with both Model 1 and Model 2, but only when depersonalization-derealization, namely detachment, was considered. Simple effects analyses revealed that CSA was related to depersonalization-derealization only under low SCC levels (Model 1), and SCC was negatively related to depersonalization-derealization only in the CSA group (Model 2). Conclusions: Findings suggest that SCC is a protective factor, buffering the association between CSA and detachment (depersonalization-derealization) symptoms. Clinical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betrayal trauma theory proposes that betrayal and non-betrayal traumas are different in terms of their nature and impacts. The theory predicts that dissociation is more strongly related to betrayal than to non-betrayal trauma, however there is a lack of cross-cultural evaluation of the theory. One competing theory is the socio-cognitive model, which proposes that dissociative amnesia (DA) and identity dissociation (ID) are the results of social influence and are not trauma-related conditions. This study aimed to test the hypotheses based on betrayal trauma theory and investigated the relationship between trauma, dissociation and other mental health problems in two culturally different convenience samples of people seeking web-based educational interventions for dissociation (N = 83 English speakers and N = 82 Chinese speakers). Compared with childhood non-betrayal trauma, childhood betrayal trauma had a statistically stronger relationship with dissociation and borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms in both samples. DA and ID symptoms were cross-culturally associated with childhood betrayal trauma after controlling for other variables (including sample membership, age, depression levels, medication treatment and non-betrayal trauma). Participants with DA/ID symptoms reported significantly more trauma-related symptoms in both samples. The findings supported the cross-cultural application of the betrayal trauma theory for dissociative features and BPD symptoms. Implications for research and practice (e.g., child protection, assessment for survivors of childhood betrayal trauma) are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissociative/conversion disorders affect almost 31% of children and adolescents in a clinical setting. These children experience significant impairments in their academics, and daily functioning, with high chances of developing other psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. However, there are no studies that explore the experiences of suffering from dissociative/conversion disorders from perspective of the sufferer. Therefore, the paper has aimed at exploring the subjective experiences of dissociative and conversion disorders among adolescents in the Indian context by examining their understanding about the illness and the reason they ascribe to the cause of their illness. The study used a qualitative semi-structured interview to understand their illness. In total, 10 adolescents of age group between 12 and 16 years participated. Eight out of the 10 participants were female and the mean age was 12 years. All of them were in-patients in the department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NIMHANS, which is the tertiary mental health care Institute India and pioneer Institute of mental health in Asia. All participants have had at least one or more consultation history either with a traditional healer or/and physician. Thematic analysis identified vital themes such as (1) Adolescents' attributing factors of the illness, (2) Cognitive and emotional appraisal of stressful situation/s, (3) Adolescents' appraisal of different explanatory model, (4) Living with the Impact of the illness. This analysis about dissociative/conversion disorders from adolescents' perspective has a major contribution in enhancing the clinical knowledge and practice in planning and managing children/adolescents diagnosed with dissociative/conversion disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is frequently complicated by the presence of dissociative symptoms. Pathological dissociation is linked with earlier and more severe trauma exposure, emotional dysregulation and worse treatment outcomes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Dissociative Disorders, with implications for BPD. Objective: A systematic scoping review was conducted to assess the extent of current literature regarding the impact of dissociation on BPD and to identify knowledge gaps. Methods: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus) were searched, and English peer-reviewed studies with adults with BPD were included, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) 2018 guidelines. Results: Most of the 70 included studies were observational (98%) with first authors from Germany (59%). Overall, dissociation was associated with increased BPD symptom severity, self-harm and reduced psychotherapy treatment response; findings regarding suicide risk were mixed. Dissociation was associated with working memory and cognitive deficits, decreased pain perception, altered body ownership, no substance abuse or the abuse of sedative substances, increased fantasy proneness, personality fragmentation, fearful attachment, dream anxiety, perceived stress and altered stress responses, increased cumulative body mass index, decreased water consumption, several neurological correlates and changes in gene expression. Conclusion: BPD with significant dissociative symptoms may constitute a more severe and at-risk subgroup of BPD patients. However, there are significant research gaps and methodological issues in the area, including the possibility of unrecognized Dissociative Disorders in BPD study populations confounding results. Further studies are needed to better understand the impact of dissociation on BPD course and treatment, and to clarify the most appropriate assessment tools for clinical practice. In addition, interventional studies are needed to develop dissociation-specific BPD treatments to determine whether targeting dissociation in BPD can improve treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder is an under-researched condition that is often left out of the larger discourse surrounding mental health and mental illness. This autoethnography examines the material and discursive tensions that are a product of my experience with Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder. In this critical self-exploration, I use communication privacy management theory, communication theory of resilience, and stigma management communication theory to unpack the communicative negotiations that accompany my disembodied experience, with the overarching goal of spreading awareness about Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder to help others make sense of their own diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual abuse (CSA) has been implicated in dissociative peritraumatic and post-traumatic symptoms and disorders. Although explicitly relevant to the legal process following alleged CSA, very little is known about dissociative manifestations in the context of forensic interviews with children following abuse. The current study was designed to uncoverperi- and post-traumatic dissociation of abused children as revealed in forensic interviews. The study examines the display of dissociation in 42 forensic interviews with children (29 girls, aged 4-14) following intra familial child sexual abuse (IFCSA). Thematic analysis was used to identify key expressions of dissociation in all of the forensic interviews. The analyses identified depersonalization and derealization in the children's description of the abuse. This was manifested both in an inability to feel things that happened during the incidents or imagination and fantasies that were reported as part of the abusive incidents. The children's interviews also revealed the potential manifestations of dissociative amnesia, which was evident in the children's attempts to communicate their retrieval difficulties to the forensic interviewers. Finally, it was identified that the forensic interviews were a platform in which dissociative post-traumatic reactions were activated and often displayed in sensory flashbacks. The current findings uncover the importance of acknowledging trauma and dissociation in the context of forensic interviews with abused children and the urgent need to implement unique responses to trauma within practical guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peritraumatic response of children during incidents of child sexual abuse (CSA) is a neglected construct in the literature. Despite the widespread use of the fight-flight-freeze model, recent studies have shown that in the unique context of child abuse, additional peritraumatic responses could be relevant. The current mixed-methods study examined children's peritraumatic responses to CSA. The sample consisted of 249 forensic interviews with children aged from 4 to 13 years. An initial qualitative analysis resulted in identifying various ways in which the children responded to the abuse, the children's decision-making around these responses, as well their perceptions of their response. This analysis was followed by quantitative analyses, which explored the frequency of these peritraumatic responses and their correlation with the characteristics of the children and abuse. Six peritraumatic response categories were identified, the most common being fight, flight, and fear. Only ethnoreligious identity was significantly correlated with the fight-or-flight response, with a significantly lower frequency among Muslim and ultra-Orthodox Jewish children. Frequency of abuse and perpetrator familiarity were correlated with the frequency of the fight-or-flight response, indicating that the latter was less relevant in reoccurring incidents of abuse and with perpetrators who were family members. The findings promote the conceptualization of children's peritraumatic responses during incidents of abuse and the realization of the crucial role of children's ecological systems in their peritraumatic responses to incidents of abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freud may have viewed her, like Ferenczi, as a dangerous threat to his discovery of the pathogenic role of fantasies, since both Ferenczi and Severn often found that "reality lay under the fantasies" (p. 80). It was Rudnytsky who made the key discovery that one of the case reports in Severn's book is of her "patient" Ferenczi, during their mutual analysis. Clara Thompson made the crucial observation that Ferenczi had what Rudnytsky paraphrases as "a penchant for unconsciously parodying Freud's ideas by taking them to "absurd" conclusions" (p. 109). [Extracted from the article]

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an understudied construct in the psychiatric setting. The majority of existing Indian studies on PTSD focus on the general population or disaster-stricken communities. Here, we present data from a five-year retrospective chart review from a tertiary care psychiatric center in India. Methods: Medical records of adult patients (≥18 years) who had attended psychiatry outpatient services between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2020 (five years) and were diagnosed with PTSD, as per ICD-10 criteria, were reviewed (n = 113). The relevant sociodemographic and clinical details were extracted using a semistructured pro forma. Results: The percentage of adult patients with PTSD diagnosis in the five years was 0.22%. PTSD was more common in females (n = 65, 57.5%). Most patients had interpersonal trauma (n = 85, 75.2%), specifically sexual abuse (n = 47, 41.6%).The median age of onset was 22 years. All the patients had re-experiencing symptoms, with an equally high rate of avoidance (n = 109, 96.5%) and arousal symptoms (n = 110, 97.3%). 82%(93) had a comorbid psychiatric disorder, with mood disorder being the most common (n = 44, 38.9%). Males had a higher rate of comorbid substance use disorder (n = 14, 29.2%) and depression (n = 20, 42%), and females had a higher rate of comorbid dissociative disorder (n = 13, 20%). Most of the patients received non-trauma-focused psychological interventions, and only 18% (20) received evidence-based trauma-focused psychological interventions. Conclusion: Interpersonal trauma, specifically sexual abuse, largely contributes to PTSD among adults attending psychiatric services. The need for trauma-focused psychological interventions is underscored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This US study examined dissociation, rejection sensitivity and identity distress among adults who experienced adoption as a child and the relationship between these factors. Further, groups of adoptees recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and social media were compared to assess whether these two recruitment methods achieve similar results. Adopted adults (n = 389) and non-adopted adults (n = 151) completed an online survey. Significant differences were found between adopted and non-adopted groups on the measures of dissociation, rejection sensitivity and identity. Rejection sensitivity and dissociation were also found to be better predictors of identity problems than adoption status alone. Recruitment methods resulted in significant differences on measures. Implications for consideration in a clinical setting are discussed as well as potential areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is thought to be linked to adult narcissistic traits. However, it remains unclear how CM is associated with each type of narcissism, vulnerable and grandiose, and what mechanism mediates these links. One potential candidate is dissociation. This study examines the relations among CM, dissociation, vulnerable narcissism, and grandiose narcissism. A total of 322 women completed self-reported questionnaires assessing CM, dissociation, vulnerable narcissism, and grandiose narcissism. To examine the relations among CM, dissociation, and each type of narcissism, we performed Pearson's correlations and mediation analyses. In secondary analyses, we conducted latent class analyses to classify different types of CM and to assess their relations with the study variables. We found small to moderate correlations between CM and vulnerable narcissism, (r =.35, p <.001) and CM and grandiose narcissism (r =.2, p <.001), with the former association being greater than the latter (z = –3.25, p <.001). Dissociation was found to mediate the link between CM and each type of narcissism (p <.001). Results suggest that CM may play a role in the etiology of vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, and that dissociation links CM to each type of narcissism. Findings highlight that CM may lead to different responses in terms of narcissism—through the same mediation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Network theory promises new ways for conceptualizing, methods for investigating, and state-of-the-art lines of research that will improve our knowledge of mental health in high-risk children and adolescents. This study constructed a symptom network to examine associations between a wide range of trauma symptoms in a sample of children and adolescents (N = 270; M age = 12.55 yrs, SD = 1.19; 67% = Female) who experienced different forms of abuse (i.e., sexual, physical, emotional and neglect). Symptom-pairs regularized partial correlations, with the Extended Bayesian Information Criterion Graphical Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (EBICglasso), were computed to estimate the network structure and centrality measures of the TSCC-SF items. Results show sadness, dissociative amnesia, and sexual arousal to be the most central symptoms in the network, while suicidality was found to be the shortest pathway across all other symptoms (domains). By providing clinicians with specific symptoms to target in interventions, the network framework has the potential to guide and enhance the effectiveness of psychological therapies in high-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to child-directed parental aggression in early life has been found to increase the risk of later psychopathological symptoms among children and adolescents. However, little is known about intermediate phenotypes and the developmental progression of symptoms, especially across the transition to grade school. Using prospectively collected longitudinal data from a large sample of children enrolled in the Family Life Project (n = 1,166, 49.7% female), the current study examined the mediating role of early dissociative symptoms in the relations between parental aggression and children's psychopathological symptoms. Children's exposure to parental aggression and their dissociative symptoms before school entry were assessed based on primary caregivers' reports. Teacher ratings of children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms were collected in pre-kindergarten as well as in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Results showed that dissociative symptoms before school entry partially mediated the association between parental aggression and persistent externalizing symptoms in school years. However, no significant associations were found between parental aggression or dissociative symptoms and internalizing symptoms. Findings suggest that dissociative symptoms manifested early in life serve as a mediating mechanism and indicator of risk for persistent impulsivity and behavioral problems. Thus, these symptoms could be an important target of preventive services provided to children with adverse experiences in their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This observational study aims to characterize, from a socio-demographic and psychopathological perspective, a sample of children with Functional Neurological Disorders (FND). Thirteen paediatric patients (below 18 years old) with FND and their parents completed a battery of anamnestic and neuropsychological tests, assessing socio-demographic status, cognitive level, behavioural and emotional issues, depression, anxiety, alexithymic traits and dissociative symptoms. Five patients presented movement disorders (tremor, myoclonus and gait disorder), three patients psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and five patients sensitivity disturbances (pain, anaesthesia and paraesthesia). Cognitive profile was normal in 11 patients; academic performance was good in nine patients, but three had a diagnosis of Specific Learning Difficulty or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Precipitating events occurred in 11 patients. At the self-report questionnaires, mean scores close to the clinical cut off were documented with respect to affective and somatic problems. At the parent-report questionnaires, clinically significant mean scores were observed in the subscales assessing anxious–depressive symptoms and somatic complaints. We speculate that paediatric FND patients, although acknowledging the relevance of somatic symptoms, have difficulties in recognizing internal emotional states (that, instead, are easily recognized by their parents). The case of one FND patient was described. These preliminary data might help identifying different clinical phenotypes of paediatric FND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child abuse is a common experience among prisoners in China and associated with elevated psychiatric comorbidity. However, the association between child abuse profiles and dissociation is unclear. The extent to which the relationship between these profiles and dissociation might influence psychiatric comorbidity and self-concealment is also unclear. This study examined the impact of this relationship on the preceding outcomes among prisoners in China using Latent Class Analysis. Four hundred and ninety-six male prisoners from China completed questionnaires measuring child abuse, dissociation, self-concealment, and psychiatric comorbidity. A three-class solution was achieved: Class 1 (neglected with moderate dissociation) prisoners had a minimal level of abuse, the highest level of neglect experience, and a medium level of dissociation; Class 2 (low neglect with low dissociation) prisoners also had a minimal level of abuse but lower levels of neglect experience and dissociation; Class 3 (abused and neglected with high dissociation) prisoners had high levels of child abuse, neglect, and dissociation. Controlling for age, Class 3 reported significantly higher psychiatric comorbidity and self-concealment than the other two classes. Class 1 was more depressed than Class 2; Class 2 was more likely to engage in self-concealment than Class 1. To conclude, the kinds of childhood maltreatment experienced by prisoners and their readiness to detach from distressing emotions can influence the severity of current distress symptoms and the tendency to conceal things about themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lupus fog is ill-defined. We aimed to study whether lupus fog is the result of dissociation by studying the prevalence of dissociation and dissociative fog in patients with SLE and neuropsychiatric manifestations of inflammatory and non-inflammatory origin. Methods: Patients visiting the tertiary referral center for neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) of the LUMC between 2007–2019 were included. Patients were classified as having neuropsychiatric symptoms of inflammatory or non-inflammatory origin. Dissociation was studied using the Dissociative Experience Scale-II (DES), in which the presence of 28 dissociative symptoms is rated (0–100% of the time), of which one question assesses the presence of a dissociative fog directly. Average scores are calculated and scores ≥ 25 are considered indicative of a dissociative disorder. A score of ≥ 30 on question 28 (dissociative fog) was considered indicative for the presence of a fog. Summary scores in the general adult population range from 4.4 to 14. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was performed to study the association between inflammatory neuropsychiatric symptoms and dissociation. DES results are presented as median (range) and MRA as B and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: DES questionnaires were available for 337 patients, of which 69 had an inflammatory NPSLE phenotype (20%). Mean age in the total study population was 43 ± 14 years and the majority was female (87%). The median dissociation score was 7.1 (0–75) and did not differ between patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms of inflammatory or non-inflammatory origin (B: −0.04 (95% CI: −0.17; 0.09)). 35 patients (10%) had a score indicative of a dissociative disorder. The most common type of dissociation was absorption/imagination. 43 patients (13%) reported a dissociative fog. Discussion: In most patients with SLE and neuropsychiatric symptoms, dissociative symptoms are within normal range, regardless of underlying etiology. Dissociative fog is present, but uncommon. Lupus fog is most likely not associated with dissociation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the Indian setting, several studies have documented that dissociative disorders (DDs) are more common in females, and the most commonly elicited stressors are interpersonal. However, much of the research up to now has been quantitative. There is a notable paucity of qualitative studies exploring the subjective experiences of women with DD. Therefore, the present study sought to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of women diagnosed with DD. Methods: Five women were recruited who were seeking psychological treatment for dissociative symptoms at a tertiary care neuropsychiatric institute in North India. In-depth interviews were conducted with each, and the transcripts were analyzed using the analytic method of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Three superordinate themes that emerged were: patients' illness perspectives, the salience of relationships, and dealing with relationship conflicts. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the role of culture in influencing the participants' illness perspectives. Women with DD tend to define their self in relational terms and, thus, inhibit the expression of one's needs and opinions, to avoid conflict and to maintain harmony in relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a gap in understanding the pathogenesis of dissociative conversion disorder (DCD), despite the disorder having a strong historical root. The role of personality and neurocognitive factors are now highlighted; however, inconsistencies are reported. This study explores the personality disposition, arousability, and decision-making ability of patients with DCD, in reference to a healthy control group (HCG). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the sample comprised ten adult psychiatric patients with DCD. Ten participants of the HCG were matched according to age, gender, education, economic status, domicile, religious background, and handedness. The study assessed personality disposition with Temperament and Character Inventory, arousability with reaction time task, and decision-making ability with the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT PEBL version). Results: The DCD group differed significantly on personality disposition related to both temperament and character. There was also evidence of easy arousability and frustration along with deficit in executive function related to decision-making ability. Conclusion: This study highlights the presence of both temperamental and characterological factors associated with DCD. Moreover, this study identifies the role of cognitive arousability and decision-making or feedback utilization ability in the psychopathology of DCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural Family Therapy is one of the most widely used family therapy model which focuses on bringing change in structural and functional aspect of the family. This article focuses on the use of structural family therapy with a client diagnosed with Dissociative Disorder. An in-dept analysis of the case was done by using case study design. The Case Study is presented with client's background, individual assessment, family assessment, the treatment plan with techniques and outcome of interventions. Individual assessment showed that client had low self-esteem, poor problem-solving skills, insecure attachment and inter-personal conflict with the father. Family assessment revealed that client was never allowed to explore and develop according to his individual and unique characteristics. As he grew older the mother became more enmeshed and father became too rigid in terms of his expectation from the client. In order to reduce tensions between parents and cope up with stressful situation client started dissociating. Individual therapy focused on enhancing client's current level of functioning, improving his coping skills and learning to be more assertive in a relationship. Therapy with family emphasized on restructuring unhealthy boundaries by regulating power dynamics within relationship and correcting dysfunctional hierarchies. The outcome of interventions was improvement in family's functioning, interaction pattern and changes in power dynamics within relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Though a substantial number of studies indicate the nexus between childhood trauma, PTSD, and dissociative disorders among adolescents, Indian literature is mostly silent. As reported incidents of child abuse are alarming in India, it was important to explore further on the subject. Objective: To explore the relationship between childhood trauma and other clinical correlates like anxiety, PTSD and behavioural problems in adolescents diagnosed with dissociative disorder. Method: 50 adolescents aged 13-18 years with a medical diagnosis of dissociative disorder were included. A convenient sampling technique was used to recruit the patients from a child guidance clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Child Dissociative Checklist (CDC), Children's Impact of Events Scale (CRIES -13), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARD), and Youth self-Report (YSR from Child Behaviour Checklist) were administered. Results: The sample consisted of 62% females and 38% males. A significant relationship was found between dissociation and anxiety, panic disorder and separation anxiety disorder. CDC had a positive correlation with internalisation, externalisation and behaviour problems. Regression analysis showed that behavioural problems and PTSD (CRIES-13) as two significant predictors of anxiety. Although there was no significant difference between adolescents with childhood trauma and without it, still the presence of trauma emerged as a significant predictor of dissociative disorders. Conclusion: The findings indicated that dissociation had a significant association with childhood trauma, behaviour problems, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Thus, culturally appropriate trauma-focused interventions for the treatment of mental illnesses and the underlying trauma should be designed for addressing dissociative disorders in this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals are often unable to report an attribute of an object to which they recently attended, if they expected to report a different attribute, a phenomenon known as attribute amnesia (AA). To date, all AA studies have occurred in the visual domain. The purpose of this study was to explore the boundary conditions of AA by testing if AA also occurs in the auditory domain and, if so, for which attributes. It was found that AA was present when reporting the location (p =.003) and the number of tones (p <.001) of an auditory stimulus, but not when reporting its pitch (p =.383). These findings can be understood in terms of the organisation of the primary cortical areas and help explain the differences between visual working memory and auditory working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has identified two subtypes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); the traditional form that includes hyperarousal reactions, and the other involving ongoing dissociation. Dissociation has been reflected in the new diagnostic criteria for PTSD with the dissociative specification focused on the experience of high levels of depersonalization and/or derealization. PTSD that presents with ongoing dissociation appears to characterize complex cases of PTSD for individuals exposed to protracted trauma. Yet, our understanding of the role of dissociation in relation to PTSD symptoms is limited with inconsistent empirical findings. This study aims to elucidate the complex associations between trauma, dissociation, and trauma-relevant symptomatology. In total, 60 female interpersonal trauma survivors completed baseline measures of trauma and dissociation, and at least a week later, they completed self-report measures of state trauma intrusions, guilt, and anxiety before and after participating in a trauma recall task to examine dissociative tendencies on analogue trauma-related symptoms. After data collection, participants were categorized into two groups; individuals with multiple forms of lifetime interpersonal trauma versus individuals with trauma isolated to single-type trauma in childhood and/or adulthood. Results revealed trauma intrusions, guilt, and anxiety increased after trauma recall overall, though trauma groups differed in the manifestation of these outcomes. In addition, less depersonalization and greater derealization predicted increases in anxiety overall, though this only remained true for those exposed to multiple-type lifespan traumas. Results reveal dissociative tendencies may be most relevant in the processing of trauma-related material for those exposed to multiple types of trauma throughout the lifespan. Implications for treatment of trauma survivors with different clinical presentations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psychosocial trauma was associated with developing conversion disorder (also known as functional neurological disorder) before Freud, though why a particular symptom should arise is unknown. We aimed to determine if there was a relationship between trauma type and symptom.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients attending Australia's first functional neurology clinic, including referral, clinic letters and a clinic questionnaire.Results: There were 106 females, 43 males and five transgender patients. Sensory (51%), motor (47%) and seizures (39%) were the commonest functional symptoms. Most patients (92%) reported stressors associated with symptom onset. Multiple trauma/symptom type associations were found: patients with in-law problems experienced more cognitive symptoms (p = .036), for example, while expressive speech problems more commonly followed relationship difficulties (p = .021).Conclusion: Associations were found between type of traumatic events and type of symptoms in conversion disorder. This will require verification in a larger sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual abuse (CSA) can severely affect the mental health of children and their parents. While correlates of recovery have been documented in children, factors exacerbating parents' adaptation to their child's unveiling of CSA deserves further attention. Parents' history of abuse has been inconsistently identified as a predictor of their distress in reaction to their child's abuse disclosure. This study proposes a mediation model that explores various processes underlying mother's psychological distress (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], dissociation, and their comorbidity) following their children's unveiling of CSA. It investigates the influence of mother's own CSA, as well as of her exposure to additional forms of past and current victimization, on her reaction to the child's CSA disclosure, while considering coping mechanisms as mediators (avoidance, problem solving, search for social support, and feeling of guilt). Data were collected through self-report measures completed by 298 mothers of children who had recently disclosed CSA. Path analyses revealed that mother's exposure to interparental violence as a child acted as a primary predictor of dissociation and of its comorbidity with PTSD, while a history of CSA was directly and exclusively linked to dissociation. Being exposed to recent partner violence was indirectly related to trauma symptoms, with coping mechanisms acting as mediators. This study outlines the relationship between mother's psychological distress and her cumulative, past, and current exposure to various forms of victimization. Exposure to interparental violence as a child represents a particularly important factor for identifying mothers most in need of support, as it is a significant predictor of dissociation and of its comorbidity with PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is considered a risk factor for self-harm behaviors. According to the anti-dissociation model of self-harm, the relation between CSA and self-harm is mediated by dissociation. However, inconclusive evidence supporting this model suggests that this association may be moderated by vulnerability factors. Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism represent distinct patterns of behaviors intended to deal with unmet needs of recognition. The aim of the study was to examine a model in which the relation between CSA and self-harm is mediated by dissociation, and the relation between dissociation and self-harm is moderated by grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism. A battery of self-reported questionnaires including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Dissociative Experiences Scale, Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory, and Brief-Pathological Narcissism Inventory were filled out by 766 college/university students. Results indicated that self-harm was related to CSA through the mediation of dissociation. Moreover, the analyses yielded significant interactions of both vulnerable and grandiose narcissism with dissociation in predicting self-harm; the relation between dissociation and self-harm was significant among individuals with high levels of vulnerable narcissism, as well as among individuals with low levels of grandiose narcissism. These findings support the anti-dissociation model of self-harm. The findings also highlight the complex and ambiguous role of narcissism in the long-term adjustment of CSA survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic violence (DV) against women is a serious problem with its negative effects on all family members and the society. Women exposed to DV not only have physical but also psychological damage. This study investigates prevalence of DV and its relations with some descriptive and clinical features in a psychiatric outpatient population in Turkey. A total of 277 female outpatients were included in the study. After a semistructured clinical interview, they were assessed by sociodemographic data form, DV questionnaire, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), and Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ). Prevalence of exposure to DV by intimate partner is found to be 58.8% (n = 163). The current study provided strong evidence that occupation status of the woman, education level of the partner, and family type are predictors of DV. Another predictor of DV exists where the child is battered by either parent. Prevalence of depression, conversion disorder, and other somatoform disorders are higher in women exposed to DV. These women also have higher scores from HDRS, HARS, DES, and SDQ compared with female patients who have not experienced DV (p <.001). Number of women scoring above cutoff levels for DES and SDQ were significantly higher in women exposed to DV (p <.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rodent behavioural assays are widely used to delineate the mechanisms of psychiatric disorders and predict the efficacy of drug candidates. Conventional behavioural paradigms are restricted to short time windows and involve transferring animals from the homecage to unfamiliar apparatus which induces stress. Additionally, factors including environmental perturbations, handling and the presence of an experimenter can impact behaviour and confound data interpretation. To improve welfare and reproducibility these issues must be resolved. Automated homecage monitoring offers a more ethologically relevant approach with reduced experimenter bias.Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of an automated homecage system at detecting locomotor and social alterations induced by phencyclidine (PCP) in group-housed rats. PCP is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist commonly utilised to model aspects of schizophrenia.Methods: Rats housed in groups of three were implanted with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Each homecage was placed over a RFID reader baseplate for the automated monitoring of the social and locomotor activity of each individual rat. For all rats, we acquired homecage data for 24 h following administration of both saline and PCP (2.5 mg/kg).Results: PCP resulted in significantly increased distance travelled from 15 to 60 min post injection. Furthermore, PCP significantly enhanced time spent isolated from cage mates and this asociality occured from 60 to 105 min post treatment.Conclusions: Unlike conventional assays, in-cage monitoring captures the temporal duration of drug effects on multiple behaviours in the same group of animals. This approach could benefit psychiatric preclinical drug discovery through improved welfare and increased between-laboratory replicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measured maladaptive daydreaming (MD) and psychosocial indices among 194 participants, aged 18-56 years: 99 female survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and 95 control respondents with no reported history of sexual abuse. Our data show that survivors of CSA scored higher on MD compared to controls. Survivors of CSA with probable MD scored higher on psychological distress, social phobia, and social isolation compared to survivors of CSA without suspected MD, implying that MD might exacerbate the psychosocial problems linked with CSA. MD psychological screening of female survivors of CSA and the development of a treatment module for MD could improve the quality of clinical services provided to survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dissociative disorder is very common among children and adolescents. Dissociation is primarily caused by a stress reaction. Stressful situations can worsen symptoms and cause problems with functioning in everyday activities. Early identification and therapeutic intervention appear to be particularly efficacious in children in contrast to adults. Aim: The current open-label pilot study aimed to examine the efficacy of adjunctive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills in improving dissociative symptoms along with other psychopathology- depression, anxiety, coping, impulsivity and emotion dysregulation in adolescents with Dissociative disorders. Methods: This was a hospital-based pilot, open-label trial based on purposive sampling. The study consisted of five adolescents aged between 12 to 17 years of age. Three were female, and two were male. Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents, Standard progressive matrices, Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Childhood Depression Inventory, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Adolescent-Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences were administered as outcome measures. Participants received the DBT skills training module individually for eight weeks. Pre-post measurements were taken, and data was analysed using SPSS. Results: Findings suggested a significant improvement in overall dissociative symptoms over a period of eight weeks of DBT skills therapy. There was also a significant improvement in depressive symptoms, anxiety, impulsivity, coping, and emotion regulation high effect size over the eight weeks of the study period. Conclusion: DBT skills module for Adolescents was found to be effective therapeutic management for dissociative disorder. Results indicate viable resources and pathways for future development are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual assault and suicide are two serious public health concerns. Research has documented the relationship between sexual assault and suicidal thinking and attempts; however, limited research explores the more multifaceted relationships between posttraumatic stress reactions and suicidal ideation in college students through unsuccessful modulation of emotion. The authors hypothesized a mediation model where the relationship between sexual assault and suicidal ideation is mediated by dissociation and hostility. In total, 1,677 undergraduate students were administered modified versions of the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ), Symptom Checklist–90–Revised (SCL-90-R), and Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ). The results revealed both significant partial but equal mediators of hostility and dissociation. However, a portion of the direct effect between sexual assault and suicidal ideation remained unaccounted for by indirect effects. The current model supports previous work on dialectical behavior therapy that says either side of the dialectic between extreme expression and suppression of hostility increases the likelihood of suicidal thinking after sexual assault. With sexual assault survivors, practitioners should use strategies that emphasize both anger expression and healthy avoidance as a way to modulate emotion to potentially reduce suicidal thoughts. Future research should focus on different gender models, additional possible mediators such as alcohol use and guilt, and different forms of sexual assault. Limitations of the correlational, cross-sectional methodology are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peritraumatic dissociation and distress are strong predictors of acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development. However, there is limited data concerning gender differences in these relations, particularly among victims of violent crimes (VVC). The objective of this study is to examine whether peritraumatic dissociation and distress predict the number of ASD symptoms differently for men and women VVC. In all, 162 adults (97 women, M age = 39.6 years), 63% of whom experienced physical assaults, completed the Acute Stress Disorder Interview, the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experience Questionnaire, and the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory. Analyses included t tests and multiple hierarchical regressions models controlling for known PTSD risk factors. The regression model showed dissociation and distress to be significant predictors of ASD for both men and women (β =.349 and β =.312 respectively; all p <.001). A significant three-way interaction was also observed between peritraumatic distress (PDI), past potentially traumatic experiences, and gender. In simple slopes analyses, the combination of high levels of PDI and of a high number of past potentially traumatic events were associated with greater risk of ASD in men only (b = 3.78, p <.001). However, women experienced greater PDI, t (157) = 5.844, p =.005, than men, and elevated distress was associated with more ASD symptoms independently of past traumatic events. Gender differences were revealed as a function of past potentially traumatic experiences. There is a cumulative impact of past potential traumas and current distress that predicts ASD in men, while in women, it contributes to ASD via increased distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors are at high risk of sexual revictimization. At the same time, some survivors report positive transformations resulting from the traumatic experience, a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Although one might expect PTG to be related to reduced risk of revictimization, the link between PTG and revictimization has not been investigated. Furthermore, mixed findings regarding the associations between PTG and distress imply that the effects of PTG are multifaceted. One potential explanation may be that dissociation shapes the implications of PTG, making it more like denial than adaptive processing of traumatic experience. This longitudinal study explores (a) the associations between PTG and sexual revictimization and (b) the moderating role of dissociation within the associations between PTG and revictimization. Method: Participants were 111 female CSA survivors who participated in a 6-month efficacy trial evaluating the effectiveness of group psychotherapy for CSA survivors with HIV risk factors. Results: Dissociation moderated the associations between PTG and revictimization: Whereas PTG had nonsignificant effects on revictimization in participants with low dissociation, it predicted elevated levels of revictimization in participants with high dissociation. Conclusions: Reports of PTG among some CSA survivors might mirror dissociative beliefs that increase their risk of revictimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many researchers have studied the prevalence and content of men's aggressive sexual fantasies, including their link with rape-supportive cognition. However, little to no research has examined the link between imaginal ability and the use of such fantasies. Based on existing research and theory, we propose that men who hold hostile beliefs toward women will use aggressive sexual fantasies more often if they possess a greater ability to engage in a "rich fantasy life." Operationally, we argue this involves (a) a proneness to fantasize in general, (b) an ability to vividly envision mental imagery, and (c) frequent experiences of dissociation. To test this, the present study hypothesized that a latent variable termed "rich fantasy life," via "hostile beliefs about women," influences the use of "aggressive sexual fantasies." A sample of 159 community males was recruited. Each participant completed a measure of fantasy proneness, dissociation, and vividness of mental imagery, along with two measures that assess hostile beliefs about women. Assessing how often the participants fantasized about rape-related and sadistic themes provided a measure of aggressive sexual fantasies. Structural equation modeling (along with bootstrapping procedures) indicated that the data had a very good fit with the hypothesized model. The results offer an important contribution to our understanding of aggressive sexual fantasies, which may have implications for clinical assessment and treatment. The limitations of the study are discussed, along with suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Retrospective recall of dissociative symptoms has been found to mediate the association between childhood abuse and deliberate self-harm (DSH) in later life. To disentangle the effect of recall bias, we tested whether dissociation symptoms ascertained during an acute DSH presentation mediates this link. Method: All participants with DSH were recruited during emergency presentation. Seventy-one individuals aged 11–17 years with overdose (OD) and/or self-injury (SI) participated in semi-structured interviews and psychiatric assessment to measure abuse and dissociation. An age- and gender-matched comparison group of 42 non-psychiatric patients admitted to the same service were also assessed. Results: The DSH groups reported significantly higher levels of abuse and dissociation compared to comparison group. Dissociation significantly mediated the association between abuse and DSH. Of the four dissociation subtypes, 'depersonalisation' was the primary mediator. Adolescents with chronic patterns of DSH and the 'OD + SI' self-harm type reported more severe dissociation. Conclusion: Exposure to abuse significantly increased the risk of DSH in adolescence. This association was mediated by dissociation. Our findings suggest a possible dose–response relationship between dissociation with DSH chronicity and the 'OD + SI' self-harm type, implicating the importance of evaluating dissociation and depersonalisation symptoms as well as abuse exposure in DSH management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural betrayal trauma theory proposes that intraracial trauma in ethnic minority populations includes a cultural betrayal that contributes to outcomes, such as symptoms of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder; posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS]), dissociation, and (intra)cultural pressure. Participants (n = 179) were ethnic minority female college students, who completed online questionnaires. The results revealed that when controlling for age, ethnicity, and interracial trauma, intraracial trauma and (intra)cultural pressure affected PTSS and dissociation. There were also indirect effects of cultural betrayal trauma on outcomes through (intra)cultural pressure. The current study can contribute to clinical interventions that address trauma-related mental health in ethnic minority college women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dissociative disorder is a common neurotic disorder. Patients with dissociative disorder experience significant psychological distress and have deficits in various domains of neurocognitive functions. Objective: To assess the neurocognitive functioning of adolescents diagnosed with dissociative disorder and compare it with that of healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted on adolescents diagnosed with dissociative disorder, attending child and adolescent specialty clinic of a tertiary care hospital of North India from October 2016 to February 2017. Healthy control subjects were also recruited for comparison on study variables. Malin's Intelligence Scale for Indian children and standardized neuropsychological tools were administered for the assessment of intellectual functioning and neurocognitive functioning. Results: A total of 50 participants with dissociative disorder and 50 healthy controls completed the study. Participants of both the groups had an average level of intellectual functioning. Participants with dissociative disorder showed poorer performance on tasks of attention and executive functions. After the Bonferroni correction, deficits were detected in the domains of coding (P = 0.0012), maze (P = 0.0001), and mathematics (P = 0.0016). Conclusions: Adolescents with dissociative disorder have impaired neurocognitive functions in comparison to healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of different types of Religious/Ritual Abuse (RA) among Iranian young adults and to investigate the relationships between RA, childhood and recent trauma, and different patterns of dissociativity. A total of 100 male and 100 female university students completed and returned a 51-item questionnaire designed to detect the extent of dissociation, childhood and recent trauma history, and RA; 12.5% of participants reported history of RA. Pearson correlation analysis showed that RA strongly correlated with dissociativity. The most notable finding of this study is that RA and being victim of violence within the last 3 years are the most important traumatic predictors of dissociativity. More research on the nature of the relationship between RA and dissociation is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have suggested that parenting style and attachment patterns affects the development of the child eventually psychological wellbeing of the child also may affect. Several studies have focused on the qualitative aspects of the parent-child relationship as a vulnerability factor in adult psychopathology. However, such studies in dissociative disorder are less studied in Indian population. This study was planned to explore and find the relationship between parenting styles and attachment in adolescents with dissociative disorder. Method: The sample consisted N=40 adolescent diagnosed with Dissociative Disorder(all types),aged 13-18 years and both their parents. Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaires and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment tools were used. Results: Most of the mothers followed permissive parenting style, while father's followed authoritative parenting style. On attachment dimensions, adolescents perceived significantly greater trust, improve communication with their mothers and more alienated with fathers. Correlation between parenting and attachment reveals significant positive relationship between permissive parenting of mothers and overall attachment with father, authoritarian mother and trust in father. Significant negative relationship found between authoritative parenting and perceived alienation with mother, authoritarian mother and overall attachment with mother, authoritarian father and overall attachment with father. Conclusions: Both the parents use different parenting style with Dissociative adolescent and both Parenting and attachment affect each other, with regards to specific variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpersonal forms of trauma are among the most commonly reported traumas. These types of traumas are more damaging to well-being than noninterpersonal forms. They have also been strongly associated with somatic symptoms and more general physical health problems. Nevertheless, the results of trauma studies are mixed and suggest that pathways may vary according to the stressors, mediators, and health outcomes investigated. This article presents a systematic qualitative review of published studies that have investigated interpersonal trauma, its association with physical health, and the potential role of intervening psychological variables. A systematic search was made of four psychology and health electronic databases. Of the 863 studies reviewed, 50 were preselected, 11 of which met the inclusion and methodological quality criteria. All but one study had a cross-sectional design. The findings showed that childhood trauma exposure was the most common category of interpersonal trauma addressed in the reviewed studies and that the physical health variables investigated were diverse. The psychological variables most frequently investigated in the studies were posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, dissociation, and substance abuse. Overall, the results suggest that interpersonal trauma exposure is associated with poorer physical health; however, the role of intervening psychological variables remains unclear. The limitations of the reviewed literature are discussed, and methodological recommendations are made for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has highlighted the wide individual variability in susceptibility to the false memories produced by the Deese/Roediger–McDermott (DRM) procedure. This study investigated whether susceptibility to false memories is influenced by individual differences in the specificity of autobiographical memory retrieval. Memory specificity was measured using the Sentence Completion for Events from the Past Test (SCEPT). Memory specificity did not correlate with correct recognition, but a specific retrieval style was positively correlated with levels of false recognition. It is proposed that the contextual details that frequently accompany false memories of non-studied lures are more accessible in individuals with specific retrieval styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]