Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
09:55
Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
Relations among peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress: a meta-analysis
Gerty Lensvelt-Mulders1, Onno van der Hart, Jacobien M van Ochten
1Department of Methodology and Statistics, Utrecht University, PO-Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. g.j.l.m.lensvelt@uu.nl
Clinical Psychology Review
|May 27, 2008
Summary
Peritraumatic dissociation is significantly linked to posttraumatic stress (PTS). Methodological factors, not theoretical ones, explain variations in findings, but causality remains undetermined.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Peritraumatic dissociation is a phenomenon occurring during a traumatic event.
- Its relationship with posttraumatic stress (PTS) requires further investigation.
- Understanding this link is crucial for trauma-informed care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze the empirical literature on peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress (PTS).
- To quantify the association between peritraumatic dissociation and the development of PTS.
- To identify factors influencing the variability in reported effect sizes.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive meta-analysis of 59 independent empirical studies.
- Inclusion of studies examining the relationship between peritraumatic dissociation and PTS.
- Coding of studies for effect measures, methodological quality, and theoretical variables.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was identified between peritraumatic dissociation and PTS.
- Methodological rigor, time since trauma, study design, and sample type explained effect size variability.
- Theoretical variables did not account for the observed differences in effect sizes.
Conclusions:
- The findings reinforce the established association between peritraumatic dissociation and PTS.
- Methodological heterogeneity significantly impacts the observed relationship.
- The current evidence, based on study designs, does not permit causal inferences.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
01:27Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders represent complex psychological conditions characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. These disruptions cause individuals to experience a disconnection from their thoughts, emotions, and memories. The phenomenon is not merely an occasional lapse in attention but a profound alteration in mental functioning that can severely impact daily life.
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
01:21Dissociative Amnesia
Dissociative amnesia is a complex psychological condition that manifests as an inability to recall personal information, often tied to traumatic or stressful events. Unlike general amnesia, individuals with this condition retain the ability to perform routine activities and procedural tasks, such as operating a phone or navigating public transportation, yet experience profound gaps in autobiographical memory. These lapses may encompass significant life events, such as suicide attempts or...
01:20Traumatic Memory
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...
01:27Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...