Do acute dissociation reactions predict subsequent posttraumatic stress and growth? A prospective experience sampling...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Trauma Studies
• Mental Health

Background:

• Peritraumatic dissociation is a known predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder.
• However, dissociation may also confer protective benefits.
• Previous research has not fully explored the dual nature of dissociation during acute trauma exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate acute dissociation reactions during conflict using experience sampling methods.
• To examine the predictive role of these reactions on subsequent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG).
• To understand the adaptive and maladaptive potential of peritraumatic dissociation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized experience sampling method (ESM) with mobile phones for twice-daily reports of dissociation symptoms over 30 days.
• Assessed Israeli civilians (n=96) exposed to rocket fire during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict.
• Employed mixed effects models and regression analyses to assess acute dissociative reactivity as a predictor of PTSS and PTG.

Main Results:

• Exposure to sirens triggered acute dissociation reactions, which gradually decreased over the conflict period.
• Higher acute dissociative reactivity predicted PTSS in an inverted U-shaped (curvilinear) manner.
• Higher acute dissociative reactivity positively predicted PTG in a linear manner.

Conclusions:

• Peritraumatic dissociation can be both adaptive and maladaptive, highlighting its complex role in trauma.
• Experience sampling methods offer a novel approach to assessing acute peritraumatic dissociation.
• Findings have significant implications for trauma risk assessment and clinical interventions.