Dissociation and psychopathology in residential youth: a brief report

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Date

2019-03-29

Authors

Fragkaki MSc, Iro
Weijman MSc, Esther Louise
Cima, Maaike

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract

Although dissociative symptoms are observed in several psychiatric disorders and linked to antisocial behavior and offending, the relation between dissociation and psychopathology or comorbidity has not been consistently investigated in residential youth yet. This brief report documented prevalence and comorbidity rates of several psychiatric disorders and examined their relation to dissociation in residential youth. The study included 100 male adolescents (Mage = 16.51) admitted to residential youth care facilities. Psychopathology was assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for children and adolescents (MINI-KID) and dissociation was measured with the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES). Externalizing problems (conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) were the most prevalent (81%) followed by substance abuse/dependence (71%), manic/hypomanic symptoms (40%), anxiety (35%), and depression (33%). High comorbidity was also observed in externalizing problems with alcohol/substance abuse/dependence (67%), manic/hypomanic symptoms (35%), depression (31%), and anxiety (30%). Logistic regression analyses revealed a significant link between dissociation and externalizing problems, depression, and manic/hypomanic symptoms, as well as comorbid externalizing problems and depression or manic/hypomanic symptoms. The findings highlight the need to assess dissociation in order to better understand the multifaceted individual profile of residential youth and incorporate it in the treatment plan.

Description

10 pages

Keywords

dissociation, psychopathology, adolescents

Citation

Iro Fragkaki MSc, Esther Louise Weijman MSc & Maaike Cima (2019) Dissociation and psychopathology in residential youth: a brief report, Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 20:5, 594-602, DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2019.1597816