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Somatoform and psychoform dissociation among students
Benedetto Farina1, Eva Mazzotti, Paolo Pasquini
1Università Europea di Roma, School of Psychology, Rome, Italy.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|March 25, 2011
Summary
Psychoform and somatoform dissociation are linked, especially in individuals with high scores on the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). This study explored the strength of this association in university students.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health
Background:
- Psychoform and somatoform dissociation are increasingly recognized as related phenomena.
- Understanding their association is crucial for both clinical and non-clinical populations.
- Previous research indicates a potential link, but the strength across different levels of dissociation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between psychoform and somatoform dissociation.
- To determine if the strength of this association varies based on the level of dissociative experiences.
- To examine this relationship in a university student sample.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 947 university students.
- Participants completed two self-administered questionnaires: the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20) and the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES).
- Statistical analysis was used to assess the association between SDQ-20 and DES scores.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between somatoform and psychoform dissociation.
- The association was notably stronger in individuals with high scores on the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES) (O.R.=18.9).
- A moderate association was observed for individuals with moderate DES scores (O.R.=7.0).
Conclusions:
- Psychoform and somatoform dissociation are strongly associated, particularly in individuals with higher levels of overall dissociative experiences.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering both forms of dissociation in assessment and treatment.
- This study contributes to the understanding of dissociative disorders in a young adult population.
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