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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
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Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
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Development and Validation of the Dissociative Symptoms Scale
Eve B Carlson1, Lynn C Waelde2, Patrick A Palmieri3
11 National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
Assessment
|May 15, 2016
Summary
The Dissociative Symptoms Scale (DSS) reliably measures depersonalization, derealization, and memory gaps in various groups. This validated scale is useful for assessing dissociative experiences in clinical and nonclinical populations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychometrics
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Dissociative symptoms, including depersonalization and derealization, are experienced across diverse clinical populations.
- A validated instrument is needed to assess these moderately severe dissociative experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate the Dissociative Symptoms Scale (DSS).
- To assess the reliability and validity of the DSS for measuring depersonalization, derealization, memory gaps, and dissociative reexperiencing.
Main Methods:
- Structural analyses (factor analysis) were conducted on data from 1,600 participants across clinical and nonclinical samples.
- Reliability (internal consistency, temporal stability) and validity (convergent, divergent, construct) were assessed.
- Item response theory analyses were used to evaluate item performance.
Main Results:
- Four factors emerged, aligning with the domains of interest and demonstrating good data fit.
- The DSS showed high internal consistency and temporal stability.
- Evidence for convergent, divergent, and construct validity was established, with higher scores in posttrauma samples and PTSD patients.
Conclusions:
- The Dissociative Symptoms Scale (DSS) is a reliable and valid measure for assessing moderately severe dissociative experiences.
- The DSS is suitable for use in a wide range of clinical and nonclinical populations.
- Further research should compare the DSS with structured interviews and evaluate its performance in other psychological disorders.
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