Dissociation and Personality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Despite decades of primary research investigating the nature of dissociation through its relationship with broad personality constructs, the nature of these relationships has remained unclear. Sampling errors, variations in sample size, the measures used, and methodological design have precluded the possibility of obtaining precise estimates of these relationships and, consequently, drawing accurate conclusions. To bring clarity to the dissociation-personality literature, we conducted the first (to our knowledge) systematic review and meta-analyses of relationships between dissociation (including dissociation factors) and personality domains contained within the five-factor model. We included 23 primary studies that provided between 11 and 25 independent effect sizes, depending on the analysis. We coded effect size data, extraneous information for moderator analyses and methodological quality for the included studies. We conducted 20 meta-analyses and found 19 statistically significant dissociation-personality relationships. The five higher-level meta-analyses of dissociation total scores and personality domains contained within the five-factor model indicated the following statistically significant relationships: neuroticism-dissociation total (r = .24), extraversion-dissociation total (r = -.07), openness-dissociation total (r = .10), agreeableness-dissociation total (r = -.15), and conscientiousness-dissociation total (r = -.21). For some variables, participants' clinical status and gender and the dissociation and personality measure used were significant moderators of the dissociation-personality relationship. Findings indicate that dissociation is relatively independent of trait-model personality.