Exploring the relationship between dissociative experiences and recovery in psychosis: cross-sectional study
Claudia Calciu, Rob Macpherson, Kerry J Rees, S. Chen, Sarah Ruxton, Rhiannon White, Mazen Almaskati, Francesca Hill, Anca Vasilis-Peter, Sebastian Desando, Oliver Pennell, Carolyn Nasubuga, Jackie Webb, Mark Walker, Camelia Soponaru
BJPsych Bulletin January 27, 2025 DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2024.113 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 75 |
| Population | Individuals with psychosis from recovery services of the Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust |
| Keywords | Psychosis Dissociative experiences scale Cross-sectional study Clinical psychology Dissociative disorders |
| Key findings | Compartmentalisation, detachment, and absorption do not predict stages of recovery from psychosis as measured by the Stages of Recovery Instrument. |
Abstract
Aims: AND
Method: This study explored the association among dissociative experiences, recovery from psychosis and a range of factors relevant to psychosis and analysed whether dissociative experiences (compartmentalisation, detachment and absorption) could be used to predict specific stages of recovery. A cross-sectional design was used, and 75 individuals with psychosis were recruited from the recovery services of the Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. Five questionnaires were used - the Dissociative Experiences Scale - II (DES), Detachment and Compartmentalisation Inventory (DCI), Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery, Stages of Recovery Instrument (STORI), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale - and a proforma was used to collect demographic data.
Results: Our findings indicated that compartmentalisation, detachment and absorption, as measured by DES and DCI, do not predict stages of recovery as measured by the STORI. CLINICAL
Implications: The results of this study suggest that there is no simple relationship between dissociative and psychotic symptoms. They also suggest a need to assess these symptoms separately in practice and indicate that special approaches to treatment of psychosis may be needed in cases where such symptoms have a significant role.