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Published on: March 8, 2018
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Inpatient outcomes following admission to stabilization-focused complex trauma- and dissociation-specific unit
Charles A Benincasa1, Seini O'Connor2, Nicholas A Pierorazio3
1Spectrum Psychological Associates.
Summary
Inpatient trauma treatment significantly improved adaptive functioning and emotion regulation while reducing dissociative symptoms in patients with complex trauma and dissociative disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Individuals with complex psychological trauma, particularly dissociative disorders, frequently utilize inpatient services.
- These patients often present with severe symptoms impacting daily functioning and emotional stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of specialized inpatient trauma unit treatment.
- To assess improvements in adaptive functioning, emotion regulation, and dissociation.
Main Methods:
- Archival data from 54 inpatients with complex posttraumatic and dissociative symptoms were analyzed.
- Scores on measures of adaptive functioning, emotion regulation, and dissociation were compared between intake and discharge.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in adaptive functioning (d = 1.60) and emotion regulation (d = 1.20) from intake to discharge.
- A significant decrease in dissociative absorption was also noted (d = 0.30).
Conclusions:
- Specialized inpatient trauma treatment, guided by expert consensus, effectively enhances adaptive functioning and emotion regulation.
- The treatment also leads to a reduction in dissociative absorption for individuals with severe complex posttraumatic and dissociative symptoms.
- Screening and tailored treatment are recommended for this population during inpatient stays.
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