Journal of Trauma & Dissociation最新文献

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is increasingly depicted on popular online platforms such as TikTok. The present study aimed to analyze the portrayal of DID symptoms on TikTok, by comparing the frequency of clinical DID symptoms displayed in these videos to clinical data. Five popular DID-related hashtags were identified and a sample of 55 videos per hashtag were randomly selected to be analyzed (N = 249). Video engagement metrics and content-creator descriptives were gathered, and the core clinical symptoms of DID were assessed based on the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation (MID). The frequencies of DID symptoms in the TikTok videos were compared to a sample of 41 patients with a DID diagnosis clinically confirmed by the SCID-D-R (Dell, 2006). Results showed that most content was produced by creators with unknown credentials, and very few videos were from mental health professionals. Memory problems (amnesia) were the most frequently reported symptom in both samples, however no other symptoms occurred at the same relative frequency. In the DID-related TikTok videos all symptoms apart from amnesia were presented at <10% frequency, compared to having >75% occurrence in the clinical sample. The representation of DID on TikTok is not fully representative of clinical data and does not cover the full scope of clinical DID symptoms.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that primarily impacts females. This study explored the relationship between early relational trauma, internalizing symptoms, and autonomic dysfunction in females with POTS. Previous research has established a link between childhood trauma and long-term health outcomes, but the specific impacts of relational trauma, particularly its physical and emotional manifestations, are less understood. Our findings revealed statistically significant correlations between childhood relational trauma, POTS-related symptoms, and internalizing symptoms (e.g. depression, anxiety, stress), suggesting a new perspective on autonomic dysfunction and potential treatment.

This article examines the interconnections among attachment trauma, dissociation, and addictive behaviors from a psychodynamic perspective. Drawing on contemporary theoretical and empirical developments, we contend that early adverse experiences - such as neglect, abuse, and inconsistent caregiving - disrupt the formation of secure internal working models of attachment and impair affect regulation. This disruption prompts a dissociative reorganization of the self, emerging as a defensive process that compartmentalizes traumatic memories and mitigates overwhelming emotional distress. Although initially adaptive, dissociation may become entrenched, resulting in fragile self-cohesion and a maladaptive reliance on external regulatory strategies. Within this framework, addictive behaviors are conceptualized not merely as compulsive or reward-driven phenomena but as compensatory mechanisms that externally manage dysregulated affect while simultaneously maintaining the segregation of traumatized mental states. The clinical implications of this model underscore the need for integrative interventions for individuals who display addictive behaviors that address their underlying attachment trauma, thereby fostering self-cohesion, emotional integration, and more adaptive self-regulation strategies.

Interoceptive accuracy, the valid perception of internal bodily states, is believed to be negatively impacted by trauma. Current theories suggest that interoceptive accuracy may worsen when experiencing some PTSD symptoms (e.g. dissociation) but strengthen when experiencing other PTSD symptoms (e.g. hyperarousal). The goal of this study was to test a novel ambulatory method for measuring interoceptive accuracy and assess whether PTSD symptoms (dissociation, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle, and flashbacks) impact interoception. Trauma-exposed adults (N = 80; n = 39 diagnosed with PTSD) completed 3 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA; n = 2,158 observations) while wearing a mobile electrocardiogram collecting passive heart rate data (interbeat interval; IBI). Momentary (within-person) fluctuations in subjective physical sensations (racing heart, sweating, trouble catching breath, feeling shaky, feeling tense) and PTSD symptoms were assessed via EMA, whereas trait (between-person) differences in PTSD severity were measured with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-5 (CAPS-5). Multilevel models provided mixed support for hypotheses that momentary PTSD symptoms would predict moment-to-moment fluctuations in interoception. Flashbacks were associated with better interoceptive accuracy, but hyperarousal symptoms were not. Interoception was significantly better during moments with lower-than-average dissociation symptoms, but only among people with low CAPS-5 scores. A limitation of the study is that we used a single cardiac measure (IBI) to predict a mix of physical sensations, some of which are not cardiac-related. Future research should continue to narrow the subjective report of physical sensations and take objective assessment of interoception out of the laboratory and into the daily lives of trauma survivors.

Earthquakes are strong and unpredictable traumatic events that significantly affect people and the environment. The two major earthquakes in Turkiye on February 6, 2023, affected 11 cities and caused many injuries and deaths. This study investigates dissociative symptoms and sleep problems in children and adolescents who lost their close relatives in these earthquakes. The study sample consisted of children and adolescents affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquake and applied to the Child and Adolescents Psychiatry Department of Adana City Research and Training Hospital, Adana, Turkiye. The study included 72 children and adolescents in the patient group and 68 in the control group, aged between 10 and 17 years. The Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES) was used to assess dissociative symptoms, while the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was used to determine sleep difficulties. An experienced child and adolescent psychiatrist thoroughly examined all the children. All dimensions of A-DES were significantly higher in children and adolescents affected by the earthquake. The patient group showed higher total CSHQ score and subscores (sleep onset delay, sleep anxiety, night wakings, and parasomnias). The total CSHQ score and subscores (night wakings and parasomnias) were positively correlated with the A-DES total score among children and adolescent victims. Regression analysis showed that hospitalization and CSHQ total score had positive relationships with the A-DES total score. Sleep disorders and dissociation can be seen in children and adolescents after natural disasters. Dissociative symptoms may be positively linked with hospitalization and sleep problems.

This study aimed to validate the Italian version of the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory (MDI-ITA) and to assess its psychometric properties in a non-clinical sample. The MDI was translated and culturally adapted following established guidelines. A total of 439 Italian-speaking adults participated in the study and filled out the MDI-ITA and other assessment tools for dissociation depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic symptoms. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the MDI-ITA were evaluated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Consistent with previous validation studies, the analyses supported a five-factor structure: Disengagement, Depersonalization/Derealization, Emotional Constriction, Memory Disturbance, and Identity Dissociation. Cronbach's alpha values for each subscale were all greater than 0.71, demonstrating satisfactory internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was also high, with a correlation of 0.91. Convergent validity was supported by significant positive correlations between MDI-ITA and other dissociation measures. Discriminant validity was indicated by weaker correlations with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic symptoms. The MDI-ITA is a reliable and valid tool for assessing dissociative phenomena in Italian-speaking populations with potential applications in both clinical and research settings. Its multidimensional structure offers comprehensive insights into dissociation, facilitating the development of targeted interventions for individuals presenting with these symptoms.

Child sexual abuse has repeatedly been identified as a risk factor for suicidal ideation and behavior, yet most research has focused on adolescents and young adults. Very little is known about suicidality in children exposed to sexual abuse in middle childhood, which is a developmental period marked by unique cognitive and socioemotional specificities. Gaining a better understanding of risk factors in this subgroup is crucial to inform age-appropriate prevention and intervention efforts. This study aimed to: 1) determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and behavior in a sample of child victims of sexual abuse aged 6-12 years old, using both self- and parent-reports and 2) model a regression tree to identify the most potent markers of suicidal risk. A total of 783 children aged 6-12, and their non-offending caregivers, completed questionnaires on suicidality, and correlates of suicidal risk (e.g. depression, emotional regulation, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and perceived maternal support following disclosure of abuse). The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 31.2% and 11.4% according to children and parents, respectively. Findings revealed that emotional dysregulation and clinical levels of depression were the most influential variables in the prediction of suicide risk. Namely, the subgroup that showed the highest suicidal risk consisted of children who had both high levels of emotional dysregulation and clinical levels of depression. The decision tree model offers an important screening tool for clinicians wishing to identify children most at-risk of suicidality.

The aim of the study was to assess the severity of dissociative disorders in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and their relationship to schizophrenia symptoms. The role of trauma in the relationship between these symptoms was also analyzed. It was also investigated whether dissociative fragmentation is a separate phenomenon from detachment in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. The study group comprised 63 individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (ICD-11), without organic disorders or addiction diagnoses, receiving treatment in Krakow health centers. The Polish versions of the following instruments were used: Positive and negative syndrome Scale (PANNS), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE - III), The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-14), Traumatic Experiences Checklist (TEC), Dissociative Experiences Scale Revised (DES-R), The Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20), Detachment and Compartmentalization Inventory (DCI) and Dissociative Symptoms Scale (DSS). Altogether 33.3% of the participants were identified as having elevated dissociative symptoms. They differed significantly from low scorers in severity of positive symptoms, mindfulness and experienced traumas. The severity of fragmentation and detachment symptoms correlated strongly. Numerous moderate positive correlations were found between dissociation symptoms and anxiety and depression symptoms, number of traumas experienced, psychopathological symptoms, and stronger negative correlations with mindfulness. A significant mediation effect of dissociation symptoms was found between traumatic experiences and psychopathological symptoms. Among people with schizophrenia, there is a subgroup with pronounced dissociative disorders and they are connected with traumatic experiences they had. Mindfulness should be researched in terms of its potential benefits in treatment of this group.