The Relationship Between Dissociation and Somatic Symptoms in Childhood Sexual Trauma Survivors Receiving Trauma-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Major/Area of Research
Psychology
Description
INTRODUCTION: It has long been recognized that psychological symptoms can manifest somatically. Contemporary research has demonstrated a positive association between childhood sexual trauma (CST) and later dissociative and somatic symptoms, yet questions remain about how exactly these phenomena are related. The current study examined the connection between CST, dissociation, and somatization in Veterans and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals enrolled in studies assessing the same new dynamic treatment for PTSD.
METHOD: Baseline data from the combined samples were analyzed to determine whether dissociation mediates the relationship between CST and somatic symptoms. CST was assessed via the sexual abuse subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ); dissociation through three items (flashbacks, depersonalization, derealization) from the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5); and somatic symptoms using relevant items from the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D).
RESULTS: After conducting preliminary analyses, a mediation model was run, yielding no significant results.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Future research might involve replicating the study in a much larger sample, using measures specifically created to capture dissociation and somatization. A better understanding of the role dissociation plays in the expression of somatic symptoms will help tailor treatments to the unique needs of CST survivors, leading to better quality of care and more successful treatment outcomes.
The Relationship Between Dissociation and Somatic Symptoms in Childhood Sexual Trauma Survivors Receiving Trauma-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
INTRODUCTION: It has long been recognized that psychological symptoms can manifest somatically. Contemporary research has demonstrated a positive association between childhood sexual trauma (CST) and later dissociative and somatic symptoms, yet questions remain about how exactly these phenomena are related. The current study examined the connection between CST, dissociation, and somatization in Veterans and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals enrolled in studies assessing the same new dynamic treatment for PTSD.
METHOD: Baseline data from the combined samples were analyzed to determine whether dissociation mediates the relationship between CST and somatic symptoms. CST was assessed via the sexual abuse subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ); dissociation through three items (flashbacks, depersonalization, derealization) from the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5); and somatic symptoms using relevant items from the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D).
RESULTS: After conducting preliminary analyses, a mediation model was run, yielding no significant results.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Future research might involve replicating the study in a much larger sample, using measures specifically created to capture dissociation and somatization. A better understanding of the role dissociation plays in the expression of somatic symptoms will help tailor treatments to the unique needs of CST survivors, leading to better quality of care and more successful treatment outcomes.