“Here’s Dissociative Identity Disorder, and we’re not that”: a constructivist grounded theory exploration of multiplicity experiences
Z. Eve, Kim Heyes, S. Parry
Psychosis June 7, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2024.2356730 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | People who identify as "multiple" (experts-by-experience), their support networks, and professionals |
| Key findings | Argues that the experience of being multiple is experientially distinct from clinical understandings of dissociative and psychosis experiences. Proposes a model in which "(Mis)understanding", "Media", "Language", and "Recognition and Regulation" are core, reciprocally influential processes, and contends that positive processes and tailored support, understanding, and language can help people live well as a multiple self. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background People who identify as “multiple” are people who share a singular body with other individual selves. Whilst there are similarities to clinically defined criteria of dissociative and psychosis diagnoses, people with multiplicity lack an impairment in functioning due to being a multiple self, and often lack amnesia.
Methods: Six areas of focus (identified via an online consultation with members of the multiplicity community) were explored with 34 individuals: experts-by-experience (10 semi-structured interviews, 15 surveys), support networks (two interviews, four surveys), and professionals (one interview, two surveys). Constructivist grounded theory was used to examine the qualitative data collected.
Results: An emerging model was constructed to conceptualise the experience of being multiple. “(Mis)understanding”, “Media”, “Language”, and “Recognition and Regulation” were identified as core, reciprocally influential processes.
Discussion: The findings support the notion that the experience of being multiple is experientially distinct from a clinical understanding of dissociative and psychosis experiences. Positive processes can allow experts-by-experience to live well as a multiple self. Tailored support, understanding, and language is required to allow for validation of experiences and specific support to be accessed, both formally and via peer networks. Further research is necessary to elaborate our ever-growing understanding of this under-researched area.