Dissociation : Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 112-119 : Hypnotic susceptibility, dissociation, and marijuana use: a relationship between high hypnotic susceptibility, marijuana use, and dissociative ability
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Date
1995-06
Authors
Pekala, Ronald J.
Kumar, V. K.
Marcano, Geddes
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation
Abstract
Participants were 413 introductory psychology students from West Chester University. Participants completed the Anomalous Experiences Inventory (AEI) (Kumar, Pekala, & Gallagher, 1994) and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) (Bernstein &Putnam, 1986). Participants then experienced the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (Shor & Orne, 1962). Participants were divided into five groups of low to high susceptible participants (based on their responses to the Harvard) and ANOVA analyses were performed for the AEI drug items (use of alcohol, LSD, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana) as a function of hypnotizability and dissociative ability. A significant interaction between drug use and hypnotizability as a function of dissociative ability was found only for the use of marijuana. For participants who were highly hypnotizable (Harvard Scale scores of 10 to 12), endorsement of having used marijuana was associated with significantly higher DES scores of about 1 SD in comparison to those participants who did not use marijuana. The interrelationships among dissociation, marijuana use, and hypnotizability are reviewed with reference to the above research findings. Pending replication, implications concerning the use of marijuana as a means for experimentally assessing dissociative processes are discussed.
Description
p. 112-119