Survivor–spouse dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder: Personal and dyad relationships

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationships between dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among injured survivors of terror attacks and their spouses (N = 210), specifically exploring survivor–spouse dyadic associations. Structural equation modeling and the actor–partner interdependence model were used to test the bidirectional dyadic association of both the survivors’ and the spouses’ dissociation with PTSD symptoms. The results demonstrated a positive association both between the survivors’ trait dissociation and PTSD symptoms and between the spouses’ trait dissociation and their PTSD symptoms. However, no significant associations were found at the bidirectional level. Taken together, our findings shed new light on the role of trait dissociation in PTSD. Although trait dissociation is associated with higher PTSD symptoms for both survivors and their spouses, its role may be limited in the bidirectional partner context. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Actor–partner interdependence model
• dissociation
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• spouse
• survivor
• trauma

Acknowledgments

Grateful thanks are extended to all of the participants in this study and to the One Family organization.

Funding

This study was supported by a Mission Awards grant from Psychology Beyond Borders.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a Mission Awards grant from Psychology Beyond Borders.