Investigating the Association Between Trauma, Dissociation, and Aberrant Cognitive Experiences in Psychiatrically Hospitalized Adolescents

Alexis Ferguson, Pace University

Abstract

Exposures to trauma can occur throughout adolescence and are especially reported by those with psychiatric hospitalizations. A fairly common side effect of trauma – dissociation -- may be used by trauma survivors to avoid painful emotions or memories. Literature has noted that individuals with higher levels of dissociation have also reported higher levels of aberrant cognitive experiences (ACEs) on the psychotic spectrum (such as reality testing difficulties or thinking disturbance). To date, however, there is limited information on the interplay between trauma, dissociation, and these aberrant cognitive experiences in inpatient adolescent populations. For this study, participants were recruited from a local psychiatric hospital and archival test data was used. At the time of test administration, each participant was provided measures to rule out Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Findings indicated that nearly 30% of participants met clinical cutoff for posttraumatic stress (PTS) or dissociation scores, as measured by self-report. When correlated with the MMPI-A-RF’s RC8 scale, those with higher PTS or dissociation scores were found to have higher levels of ACEs. While the presence of PTS alone did not predict ACEs, the presence and acknowledgement of dissociation did. Given this, further examination of the relationship between these variables is warranted to aid in reducing risk of trauma and its impact on psychological functioning in youth.

Subject Area

Mental health|Cognitive psychology|Clinical psychology

Recommended Citation

Ferguson, Alexis, "Investigating the Association Between Trauma, Dissociation, and Aberrant Cognitive Experiences in Psychiatrically Hospitalized Adolescents" (2022). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI30449584.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI30449584

COinS