Latent profile analysis and principal axis factoring of the DSM-5 dissociative subtype

Abstract

Objective

A dissociative subtype has been recognized based on the presence of experiences of depersonalization and derealization in relation to DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the dissociative subtype has not been assessed in a community sample in relation to the revised DSM-5 PTSD criteria. Moreover, the 20-item PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) currently does not assess depersonalization and derealization.

Method

We therefore evaluated two items for assessing depersonalization and derealization in 557 participants recruited online who endorsed PTSD symptoms of at least moderate severity on the PCL-5.

Results

A five-class solution identified two PTSD classes who endorsed dissociative experiences associated with either 1) severe or 2) moderate PTSD symptom severity (D-PTSD classes). Those in the severe dissociative class were particularly likely to endorse histories of childhood physical and sexual abuse. A principal axis factor analysis of the symptom list identified six latent variables: 1) Reexperiencing, 2) Emotional Numbing/Anhedonia, 3) Dissociation, 4) Negative Alterations in Cognition & Mood, 5) Avoidance, and 6) Hyperarousal.

Conclusions

The present results further support the presence of a dissociative subtype within the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD.

• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• dissociative subtype
• dissociation
• trauma-related altered states of consciousness
• psychological trauma

Responsible Editor: Julian D. Ford, University of Connecticut Health Center, United States.

For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’

Responsible Editor: Julian D. Ford, University of Connecticut Health Center, United States.

For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’

Conflict of interest and funding

There is no conflict of interest in the present study for any of the authors. This research was funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to Dr. Frewen.

Notes

Responsible Editor: Julian D. Ford, University of Connecticut Health Center, United States.

For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’

¹The current research is part of a larger web survey project investigating the relationship between childhood trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and dissociation from the perspective of a new theoretical model termed the “4-D model” (Frewen & Lanius, 2015). Toward that broader goal, included within the web survey were measures germane to the trauma and dissociation fields including posttraumatic symptoms, interpersonal and emotion difficulties, childhood traumatic experiences, and trait dissociation. Analyses directly pertinent to examination of the “4-D model,” however, will be reported elsewhere.