Impact of Childhood Trauma on Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and Dissociation: Mediating Effect of Bullying

Kong, Seong Sook; Bae, Jae Hyun

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purposes of the study were to determine whether specific forms of childhood traumatic experience predicts post traumatic stress symptoms and dissociation and to investigate the mediating effects of bullying experience on forms of childhood trauma and post traumatic stress symptoms or dissociation.
METHODS
Participants were patients (n=90) from "S" clinic for psychological trauma. Data were collected from January 2012 to January 2013 through semi-structured interviews and self-reports using a modified Lifetime Incidence of Traumatic Events, Korean Version of Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Dissociative Experience Scale.
RESULTS
The participants showed high rates for childhood trauma and high scores on post traumatic stress symptoms and dissociation, and 38.9% of participants self-reported experiencing more than three types of trauma. Physical abuse was found to be a significant predictor of post traumatic stress symptoms and dissociation. It was also found that bullying experience partially mediated the association between physical abuse and post traumatic stress symptoms or dissociation.
CONCLUSION
Future interventions for patients with childhood trauma should focus on assessing the possibility of dissociation. As boys and girls who experienced physical abuse in childhood are likely to be victims of bullying, school counselors should assess their support system and refer to mental health professionals as necessary.