The dissociative subtype of PTSD: a replication and extension

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• The relationship between dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is crucial for clinical understanding and classification.
• Previous research has not definitively established a dissociative subtype of PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate evidence for a dissociative subtype of PTSD in two independent samples.
• To examine personality disorder (PD) comorbidity patterns associated with a dissociative PTSD subtype.

Main Methods:

• Latent profile analyses were performed on PTSD and dissociation items (derealization, depersonalization).
• Two independent archival samples were used: male Vietnam War Veterans (N=360) and female Veterans/active duty personnel (N=284).

Main Results:

• A three-class solution emerged in both samples, including a class with high PTSD severity and high dissociation.
• Approximately 15% of males and 30% of females were classified into the dissociative class.
• Women in the dissociative group showed higher rates of comorbid avoidant and borderline PD diagnoses.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the existence of a dissociative subtype of PTSD.
• Dissociation may contribute to the frequent comorbidity of PTSD and borderline PD in women.
• Results suggest considering a dissociative subtype in future PTSD diagnostic criteria revisions.