How-to study dissociative symptoms in a broad range of mental disorders

• Verfasst von: Danböck, Sarah K. [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Mertens, Yoki L. [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Kulla, Patricia [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Seitz, Katja I. [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Schalinski, Inga [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: How-to study dissociative symptoms in a broad range of mental disorders
• Titelzusatz: a methodological primer
• Verf.angabe: Sarah K. Danböck PhD, Yoki L. Mertens PhD, Patricia Kulla Dipl.-Psych,Katja I. Seitz PhD, and Inga Schalinski PhD
• E-Jahr: 2025
• Jahr: May 2025
• Umfang: 37 S.
• Illustrationen: Illustrationen
• Fussnoten: Online veröffentlicht: 7. April 2025 ; Gesehen am 11.06.2025
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Journal of trauma & dissociation
• Ort Quelle: [Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar] : Routledge, 2000
• Jahr Quelle: 2025
• Band/Heft Quelle: 26(2025), 3, Seite 415-451
• ISSN Quelle: 1529-9740
• DOI: doi:10.1080/15299732.2025.2481474
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: Assessment
• Sach-SW: Dissociation
• Sach-SW: Guide
• Sach-SW: Methodology
• Sach-SW: Provocation
• K10plus-PPN: 192794273X

Abstract

Dissociative symptoms constitute a transdiagnostic phenomenon not only characterizing dissociative disorders but also occurring across a broad range of other mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder or borderline personality disorder. In the latter disorders, dissociative symptoms such as depersonalization, derealization, or gaps in awareness significantly burden patients’ wellbeing and functioning. Many efforts have been undertaken to better understand these debilitating symptoms. However, empirical findings have not yet converged in many areas (e.g., considering neurobiological correlates or effects of dissociative psychopathology on treatment outcome), which might partially be due to the heterogeneity and limitations of employed methodology. Here, we critically review the current state-of-the-art methodology in dissociation research, comparing methods to assess dissociative symptoms, provoke dissociative symptoms in the laboratory, select the participant sample, and consider critical sample characteristics. Discussing the informative value and limits of various standard and novel methodological approaches, we aim to provide information and nuanced guidance for future research. By these means, we aim to raise and harmonize standards in dissociation research and enable researchers of all career stages to enter, navigate, and make a significant and lasting contribution to research on dissociative symptoms in a broad range of mental disorders, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of dissociative psychopathology.