Examining the Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Mindfulness in the Relationship Between Sexual Abuse and Dissociative Experiences.

Abstract

The link between traumatic events, such as sexual abuse, and dissociation is well-documented, but the mechanisms underlying these symptoms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sexually abused individuals' dissociative experiences and emotion dysregulation and mindfulness; and to examine whether mindfulness and emotion dysregulation play a role in the relationship between sexual abuse and dissociative symptoms. The sample consisted of 52 female adolescents who were victims of sexual abuse and 52 female adolescents without a history of sexual abuse who attended the child psychiatry clinic. All participants were asked to fill out the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (ADES), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale Brief Form (DERS-16). Findings revealed that dissociative symptoms and emotion dysregulation were significantly higher, and mindfulness was lower in the abused group. Both mindfulness and emotion dysregulation were found to mediate the relationship between sexual abuse and dissociative symptoms. In a literature review conducted by the researchers, no study in a clinical setting was found in which the role of mindfulness and emotion regulation in the relationship between sexual abuse and dissociation in adolescents exposed to sexual abuse was examined together. We believe that our results are unique and furthermore it is believed that considering and developing mindfulness and emotion regulation in the treatment process of sexual abuse victims will be beneficial for patients.