“Now there are fewer of me". A qualitative study of the impact of psychoeducative groups for complex dissociative disorder

Objective

This study aimed to explore the experience and impact of participating in psychoeducative group therapy based on an explanatory model for dissociative symptoms. We further explored the potential significance this may have for the participants healing process.

Methods

A total of 26 participants with Complex Dissociative Disorder (CDD) were interviewed 6 months after finishing a 20-week psychoeducative group therapy that included skills training. The research team analyzed the data with an interpretative interview-based qualitative research method.

Results

The analysis resulted in two main categories with 12 subcategories. The first main category was “Developing a more coherent self”, describing an initial change in the participants' self-experience from confused and fragmented to increased coherency. The second main category “Increased sense of agency” represented a new way of relating to and helping oneself. The results are presented in a model which points towards some possible connections between the categories.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the psychoeducative group therapy contributed to a movement towards increased self-awareness which permits a sense of coherence among various parts of the self and an increased sense of agency. The model resulting from this work identifies crucial elements of change that can be applied to improving treatment.