Predicting a dissociative disorder from type of childhood maltreatment and abuser-abused relational tie

J Trauma Dissociation. 2017 May-Jun;18(3):356-372. doi: 10.1080/15299732.2017.1295420. Epub 2017 Feb 23.

Abstract

We investigate the types of childhood maltreatment and abuser-abused relational ties that best predict a dissociative disorder (DD). Psychiatric inpatients (n = 116; mean age = 35; F:M = 1.28:1) completed measures of dissociation and trauma. Abuse type and abuser-abused relational ties were recorded in the Traumatic Experiences Questionnaire. Multidisciplinary team clinical diagnosis or administration of the SCID-D-R to high dissociators confirmed DD diagnoses. Logit models described the relationships between abuser-abused relational tie and the diagnostic grouping of patients, DD present (n = 16) or DD absent (n = 100). Fisher's exact tests measured the relative contribution of specific abuse types. There was a positive relationship between abuse frequency and the presence of DD. DD patients experienced more abuse than patients without DDs. Two combinations of abuse type and relational tie predicted a DD: childhood emotional neglect by biological parents/siblings and later emotional abuse by intimate partners. These findings support the early childhood etiology of DDs and subsequent maladaptive cycles of adult abuse. Enquiries about childhood maltreatment should include a history of emotional neglect by biological parents/siblings. Adult emotional abuse by intimate partners should assist in screening for DDs.

Keywords: Abuser–abused relational ties; biological parents/siblings; childhood maltreatment; dissociative disorders; emotional abuse; emotional neglect; intimate partners.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Dissociative Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Dissociative Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inpatients
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Surveys and Questionnaires