Dissociation and disasters: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Dissociation, a disruption in consciousness, memory, and identity, is often linked to trauma.
• While trauma is a presumed cause, the link between disaster exposure and dissociation requires systematic review.
• Previous literature reviews on dissociation in disaster survivors are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on the association between disaster exposure and dissociation.
• To determine the prevalence and incidence of dissociation following disasters.
• To examine the relationship between disaster exposure and dissociative symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Searched EMBASE, Medline, and PsychINFO databases from inception to January 2019.
• Included studies on adult/child survivors and responders, excluding military conflicts and non-English articles.
• Utilized keywords such as "disaster*" and dissociation terms; scrutinized reference lists.

Main Results:

• 53 articles were included, focusing on various disasters between 1989-2017.
• Most studies used self-report scales, lacking diagnostic rigor for dissociative disorders.
• Findings on the association between disaster and dissociation were inconclusive, with inconsistent results when compared to posttraumatic stress.

Conclusions:

• The reviewed studies exhibit significant methodological limitations in psychopathology measurement and sampling.
• Inconclusive findings preclude definitive conclusions about dissociation as an established outcome of disaster exposure.
• Methodological improvements are necessary for future research in this area.