Multidimensional Dissociation, Shame, Trauma and Ethnicity

Dissociation can be regarded as a normal and complex set of mental phenomena that may operate within multiple conditions. This Institutional Review Board approved study examined a group of pre-professional/professional performing artists and college athletes (N = 687) and explored ethnic group differences in multidimensional symptoms of dissociation and shame, as well as cumulative trauma exposure, within four major ethnic groups: Black (14%), Asian (21%), White (43%), and Latinx (22%). The measures included a brief health and demographic screener, the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory, the Internalized Shame Scale, Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, and Traumatic Event Questionnaire. Findings in these exploratory analyses included significant ethnic group differences for cumulative trauma, three shame dimensions, and five dissociation dimensions. The four groups had different prevalence rates for specific trauma types (childhood adversity, non-sexual/sexual assault by stranger or known person, serious life-threatening illness/injury), with the Black group experiencing higher prevalence rates for victim of violent crime, childhood physical abuse, parental separation, and family member incarcerated. The Latinx group had less shame dimensions and dissociative symptoms compared to the other three groups. In general, the Latinx group seemed to exhibit more resilience and less psychological distress compared to the Black, Asian, and White groups. Fragile shame was a predictor of general dissociation for all four ethnic groups. Empty/alone shame significantly predicted general dissociation for the Asian, White, and Latinx groups. Cumulative trauma predicted general dissociation for the Black and White groups. The need to examine intersectionality, inequity, trauma, and dissociation remains essential.