The effect of sexual abuse and dissociation on suicide attempt

Background Suicide attempt is the most predictive risk factor of suicide. Trauma – especially sexual abuse – is a risk factor for suicide attempt and suicide. A common reaction to sexual abuse is dissociation. Higher levels of dissociation are linked to self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt, but the role of dissociation in suicidal behavior is unclear. Methods In this naturalistic study, ninety-seven acute psychiatric patients with suicidal ideation, of whom 32 had experienced sexual abuse, were included. Suicidal behaviour was assessed with The Columbia suicide history form (CSHF). The Brief trauma questionnaire (BTQ) was used to identify sexual abuse. Dissociative symptoms were assessed with Dissociative experiences scale (DES). Results Patients who had experienced sexual abuse reported higher levels of dissociation and were younger at onset of suicidal thoughts, more likely to self-harm, and more likely to have attempted suicide; and they had made more suicide attempts. Mediation analysis found dissociative experiences to significantly mediate a substantive proportion of the relationship between sexual abuse and number of suicide attempts (indirect effects = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.28, proportion mediated = 68%). Dissociative experiences significantly mediated the role of sexual abuse as a predictor of being in the patient group with more than four suicide attempts (indirect effects = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.19, proportion mediated = 34%). Conclusion The results illustrate the importance of assessment and treatment of sexual abuse and trauma-related symptoms such as dissociation in suicide prevention. Dissociation can be a contributing factor to why some people act on their suicidal thoughts.

High dissociatives, nature versus nurture?

Non-pathological dissociative experiences are common among the general population, and anyone may experience them to some degree. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the degree of dissociative experiences such as fantasy proneness, imagination, and absorption in fine arts undergraduates prior to beginning their artistic studies, and at the end of their studies at the faculty of fine arts. Moreover, education undergraduates were used as a comparison group. The sample consisted of 440 undergraduates (204 fine arts, and 236 education undergraduates; 224 first-year undergraduates, and 216 fourth-year undergraduates), who were administered three dissociative experiences tests: Dissociative Ability Scale, Dissociative Experiences Scale, and Questionnaire of Experiences of Dissociation. The working hypotheses were substantiated with dissociative experiences being a distinctive personality trait of fine arts undergraduates. We have found a grade level difference between first-year and fourth-year fine arts undergraduates, although the study does not examine the nature of the change itself. The results are discussed in the light of previous studies, and new lines of research proposed.

Relationship between Dissociative Experiences and Schizotypal Personality Traits: Mediating Role of Inferential Confusion

Objective: Previous research has shown a relationship between schizotypal personality traits and dissociative tendencies. The Inference-Based Approach (IBA) can explain this relationship to some extent. Purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of inferential confusion in relation to dissociative experiences and schizotypal personality traits. Method: A total of 341 students from Shahed University participated in this cross-sectional study. Sampling was conducted randomly by the cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the Inferential Confusion Questionnaire (ICQ-EV), Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQ-B), and Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II). Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software based on statistical methods including Pearson correlation, Baron and Kenny hierarchical regression and the Sobel test. Results: There were significant positive relationships between dissociative experiences, schizotypal personality traits, and inferential confusion (P < 0.01). Findings showed that inferential confusion mediates the relationship between dissociative experiences and schizotypal personality traits (β = 0.29; P < 0.001). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the present study, considering role of inferential confusion, succeeded in explaining the relationship between dissociative experiences and schizotypal personality traits to some extent

Duration of Untreated Disorder and Cannabis Use: An Observational Study on a Cohort of Young Italian Patients Experiencing Psychotic Experiences and Dissociative Symptoms

Background: The Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) is the time between the first-episode psychosis (FEP) and the initiation of antipsychotic treatment. It is an important predictor of several disease-related outcomes in psychotic disorders. The aim of this manuscript is investigating the influence of cannabis on the DUP and its clinical correlates. Methods: During years 2014–2019, sixty-two FEP patients with and without cannabis use disorder (CUD) were recruited from several Italian psychiatric hospitals. The subjects were then divided into two groups based on the duration of the DUP and assessed at the beginning of the antipsychotic treatment and after 3 and 6 months, using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II). Results: As expected, a longer DUP was associated with worse symptoms and cannabis use did not seem to affect the DUP, but both were related with more dissociative symptoms at onset and over time. Discussion: According to our study, cannabis use can be a predictor of FEP and DUP, and of disease outcome. However, several factors might influence the relationship between cannabis use and DUP. Preventing cannabis use and early diagnosis of psychotic disorders might impact the disease by reducing the persistence of symptoms and limiting dissociative experiences.

Prevalence of Dissociative Experiences and Dissociative Disorders in Methamphetamine Users in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kerman

Background: Dissociative symptoms have been reported to result from issues such as substance use. However, there is limited knowledge on the relationship between methamphetamine use and dissociative symptoms, and only a few studies have been conducted on this issue. Objectives: Given little knowledge on the relationship between methamphetamine use and dissociative symptoms, in particular dissociative disorders, the present study was done to investigate the prevalence of dissociative experiences and dissociative disorders in methamphetamine users in Shahid Beheshti hospital of Kerman City, Kerman Province, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, two groups of subjects, including methamphetamine users (N = 50) and controls (N = 51), were randomly selected from the individuals referring to Shahid-Beheshti Hospital, Kerman City, from September 2016 to March 2018. After validating the diagnosis of methamphetamine use via methamphetamine positive-urine test, the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and dissociative disorders interview schedule-DSM5 (DDIS) were employed to assess dissociative experiences and disorders, respectively. Next, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was utilized for the determination of positive and negative symptoms of psychosis in the case group. Finally, the chi-square test and t test were applied for comparing the study groups using SPSS version 20 software. Results: Our findings revealed that the mean score of dissociative symptoms was 15.3 in methamphetamine users. The mean score of depersonalization/derealization subscale of DES, as a dissociative experience, was higher in the case group (P < 0.01). The experience of possession, as a dissociative experience, was recorded in 17 methamphetamine users, while 18 (36%) methamphetamine users were diagnosed with dissociative disorder. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the DES score and positive symptoms in methamphetamine users (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that methamphetamine induces dissociative psychosis in methamphetamine users.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Scan in National Wrestlers and Comparison According to Several Variables

Aims: The purpose of this study was to scan dissociative identity disorders in wrestlers who represented their nations in International tournaments. Material and methods: Dissociative Experiences Scale-DES was used as a data collection tool. Relational and Causative comparison models in quantitative research methods were also used in our research. Study group consisted of 14 male wrestlers competed in International tournaments. As sample number did not meet parametrical norms, non-parametric tests were taken place. Desctiptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, One-Way variance analysis and Spearmen Correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: As a result of statistical analysis, dissociative scores of wrestlers in study group were determined to be above 30. When this results was evaluated according to Dissociative Experiences Scale, it can be suggested that there might be dissociative disorders in wrestlers inside study group. Conclusions: Consequently, as a result of statistical analysis, Wrestlers were determined to have 30 and above dissociative scores. And when this is examined according to Dissociative Experience Scale; It indicated that there is a Dissociative disorder in wrestlers.

Childhood traumatization and dissociative experiences among maladaptive and normal daydreamers in a Hungarian sample

The aim of the study was to identify some potential etiological segments of maladaptive daydreaming, especially the relationships between maladaptive daydreaming, childhood traumatization, and dissociative propensity. The questionnaire package included the Hungarian version of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale, the Traumatic Antecedents Questionnaire, as well as the Dissociation Questionnaire. 717 participants were recruited online, 106 of whom were problematic daydreamers. The results revealed that certain types of childhood trauma occurred significantly more frequently in the group of maladaptive daydreamers. Furthermore, maladaptive daydreamers possessed a significantly higher level of dissociative propensity compared to normal daydreamers. The estimated SEM models showed that dissociative experiences - more precisely Identity confusion and fragmentation and Lack of control – mediated the relationship between certain childhood traumatic experiences and maladaptive daydreaming. The results suggest that we should consider childhood traumatization and increased dissociative propensity as potentially significant factors in the etiology of maladaptive daydreaming.