Related Experiment Videos
Affective predictors of dissociation, III: Affect balance
1Department of Psychology University of New England, Australia.
The Journal of Psychology
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Dissociative tendencies correlate with an imbalance of emotional expression, favoring negative feelings. This suggests trauma-related emotions may play a key role in developing dissociation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Affective Science
Background:
- Dissociative tendencies are complex psychological phenomena.
- Affective expression, the outward display of emotions, is crucial in psychological functioning.
- Understanding the interplay between dissociation and affect is vital for mental health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between dissociative tendencies and the balance of affective expression.
- To explore how dissociation relates to the experience and expression of positive and negative affects.
- To examine the potential mediating role of trauma-related affects in dissociative tendencies.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 100 Australian psychology students participated.
- Data were collected on dissociative tendencies and affective expression.
- Statistical analyses were used to determine relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Dissociation was positively associated with an imbalance of affect, leaning towards negative emotions.
- Higher levels of dissociation correlated with more frequent negative affect experiences.
- Dissociation was not significantly related to the expression of positive affects.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the view that an imbalance in affective expression, particularly favoring negative affects, is linked to dissociation.
- Trauma-related affects appear to mediate the development of dissociative tendencies.
- Further research is warranted to explore these complex relationships in diverse populations.