[The "AMDP scale for dissociation and conversion (AMDP-DK)": development of an observer-rated scale and first...

The AMDP scale for dissociation and conversion (AMDP-DK) represents an observer-rated scale for the assessment of dissociative and conversive phenomena, which closes the gap between available self-report questionnaires and time-consuming structured interviews with their respective disadvantages. The instrument comprises 30 operationalized items, which are rated according to the AMDP rules, and which are theoretically-driven divided into the subscales dissociation (15 items), conversion (9 items) and a "formal" dimension (6 items) to cover associated phenomena. In a sample of psychiatric inpatients (n = 73) the covered symptoms showed a great variety of frequency and intensity. The AMDP-DK and its subscales had good internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha between 0.76 and 0.85). A factor-analysis mostly replicated the theoretically constructed subscales. The convergent and divergent validity of the scale was good, as well as its ability to discriminate between high- and low-dissociating patients. The findings are discussed with regard to the psychometric properties and the relevance for the theories of dissociation and conversion.