Multidimensional Dissociation, Shame, Trauma and Ethnicity.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Trauma Studies
• Sociology

Background:

• Dissociation is a complex mental phenomenon occurring in various conditions.
• Understanding ethnic variations in dissociation, shame, and trauma is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Pre-professional/professional performing artists and college athletes represent unique populations for studying psychological distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore ethnic group differences in multidimensional symptoms of dissociation and shame.
• To examine cumulative trauma exposure across four major ethnic groups: Black, Asian, White, and Latinx.
• To identify predictors of general dissociation within these ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

• Institutional Review Board approved study of 687 pre-professional/professional performing artists and college athletes.
• Utilized Multiscale Dissociation Inventory, Internalized Shame Scale, Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, and Traumatic Event Questionnaire.
• Exploratory analyses examined ethnic group differences in trauma, shame, and dissociation.

Main Results:

• Significant ethnic group differences were found for cumulative trauma, shame dimensions, and dissociation dimensions.
• The Black group reported higher rates of specific trauma types, including violent crime and childhood physical abuse.
• The Latinx group reported fewer shame dimensions and dissociative symptoms, exhibiting greater resilience.
• Fragile shame predicted general dissociation across all groups; cumulative trauma predicted it for Black and White groups.

Conclusions:

• Ethnic background significantly influences experiences of trauma, shame, and dissociation.
• Latinx individuals may possess greater resilience to psychological distress compared to other groups studied.
• Shame and cumulative trauma are key predictors of dissociation, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive mental health approaches.