Dissociative symptomatology and traumatogenic factors in adolescent psychiatric patients

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2000 Feb;188(2):71-7. doi: 10.1097/00005053-200002000-00002.

Abstract

This study describes the relation of different types of childhood trauma to the degree of dissociative experiences. Subjects were 198 consecutively admitted adolescent psychiatric patients, 11 to 19 years old (89 inpatients and 109 outpatients). All patients completed the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale. A Checklist of Traumatic Childhood Events was filled out by clinicians. The results showed an increase in the degree of dissociative experiences in patients with a history of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and stressful life events. With the exception of life events, a moderate form of traumatic experience had the same effect on dissociative experiences as severe forms. The strongest effect was found for emotional neglect, which seems to be an important pathogenic risk factor. The results suggest that therapists and researchers should be aware that even less severe forms of abuse and neglect may have a significant impact on the development of dissociative psychopathology in adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data
  • Dissociative Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Dissociative Disorders / etiology
  • Dissociative Disorders / psychology
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events*
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychology, Adolescent
  • Risk Factors