J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2014 Sep;23(3):125-134. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2014.23.3.125.

Discriminating Power of Dissociation in Patients with Psychological Trauma

• Kong SS
• Bae JH

• KMID: 2001114
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2014.23.3.125

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to identify the discriminating power of dissociation as defined by depression, obsession, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory(MMPI; psychopathology) in patients with psychological trauma.
METHODS
Participants were patients (N=114) from "S" clinic for psychological trauma. Data were collected from April to June 2014 through semi-structured interviews and self-reports using a modified Lifetime Incidence of Traumatic Events, Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), Beck Depression Inventory-2, Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory, and MMPI-2.
RESULTS
Participants were grouped in to two groups depending on DES scores; dissociative (n=15) and non-dissociative (n=99). Depression, F-scale (infrequency), Ma (Hypomania), and Hs (Hypochondriasis) scale of MMPI correctly discriminated 86.8% of the sample. There were also significant differences in Obsession, K-scale (korrection), D (Depression), Hy (Hysteria), Pd (Psychopathic Deviate), Pa (Paranoia), Pt (Psychasthenia), Sc (Schizophrenia), Si (Social Introversion) scales of MMPI between two groups, but they were not significant discriminant factors.
CONCLUSION
Future interventions for patients with high levels of dissociation and psychological trauma should focus on the prevention of suicide and chronic dissociation by assessing depression-related factors; suicidal behavior, impulsivity, aggression, and alexithymia. Therapists should also interpret patients' MMPI profiles carefully, especially in the presence of an extremely elevated F-scale.

Keyword

Trauma; Dissociative disorders; Depression; Obsessive behavior; MMPI

MeSH Terms

Affective Symptoms
Aggression
Depression
Dissociative Disorders
Humans
Impulsive Behavior
Incidence
Minnesota
MMPI
Obsessive Behavior
Suicide
Weights and Measures

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