Psychometric Comparison of Dissociative Experiences Scales II and C: A Weak Trauma‐Dissociation Link

Abstract

The debate regarding the relationship between dissociation and trauma has raised questions regarding the validity of measures of dissociation. Dalenberg et al.'s (2012) meta-analysis included studies using the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES II), but excluded the DES-Comparison (DES-C) scale, claiming that it lacked validity as a measure of dissociation. contended that omitting those studies might have skewed the results. In the current study, we compared the psychometric properties of both measures in two nonclinical US adult (student, general population) samples to evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity of the scales. We found support for the DES-II as a measure of dissociation as well as the validity and reliability of the DES-C, which compares well to the DES II. Compared with studies in Dalenberg et al., we found lower correlations between trauma and dissociation. No empirical basis exists to exclude studies using the DES-C in literature reviews. 3 Psychometric Comparison of the Dissociative Experiences Scale II and C: Evaluating The Trauma-Dissociation Link Researchers have long debated the magnitude and meaning of the relation between trauma and dissociative experiences. Carlson et al. (1993) described dissociative experiences as "the lack of integration of thoughts, feelings, and experiences" into consciousness (p. 1030). The classic and widely prevalent trauma theory of dissociation holds that a causal link exists between early life adverse experiences (e.g., childhood sexual and physical abuse) and dissociation (see Janet, 1887, 1889/1973). Nevertheless, in the past few decades researchers have challenged the extent to which trauma causes dissociative symptoms and have identified sociocognitive variables as precursors of dissociative experiences (e.g., suggestions, suggestibility, false memories, fantasy-proneness, and cultural views of dissociative phenomena; see Spanos, 1994; Lilienfeld et al. 1999; Lynn, Lilienfeld, Merckelbach, Giesbrecht, & van der Kloet, 2012). In contrast to the sociocognitive view, Dalenberg et al.'s (2012) meta-analysis and review claimed to demonstrate a strong relationship between trauma and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES II; Carlson & Putnam, 1993). They excluded all studies that had used an alternative version of the DES, the DES-Comparison (Wright & Loftus, 1999)-a choice that Lynn et al. (2014) challenged. In the current studies, we compare the validity and reliability of the DES II and DES-C in two nonclinical samples, and further examine the relation between trauma and dissociation. Dalenberg et al.'s (2012) meta-analysis included studies that used the DES II, the most widely used measure of dissociative experiences (Condon & Lynn, 2014). The DES II possesses high test-retest reliability (r = .84; Bernstein & Putnam, 1986) and internal consistency (e.g., split half: .93, Pitblado & Sanders, 1991; Cronbach's alpha: .95, Frischholz et al., 1990). The DES II & DES-C 4 DES II also correlates with measures that provide evidence for construct validit...

The Return of the Repressed: The Persistent and Problematic Claims of Long-Forgotten Trauma

“…In addition, researchers have heralded the statistical correlation between trauma and dissociative symptoms as support for a general theory that trauma can lead to dissociative amnesia (see Dalenberg et al, 2012, 2014; but see Lynn et al, 2014). However, even if this relation is strong—typically it is not (see Patihis & Lynn, 2017)—this does not establish evidence for dissociative amnesia. Dissociation, as measured by the widely used DES, assesses feelings of depersonalization, derealization, and memory problems.…”

Reports of Recovered Memories of Abuse in Therapy in a Large Age-Representative U.S. National Sample: Therapy Type and Decade Comparisons

“…In addition, Dalenberg et al (2012) related the idea that trauma can lead to dissociative amnesia to studies that measured the relationship between trauma and dissociative symptoms. Even if the relationship between trauma and dissociation is strong (but see Patihis & Lynn, 2017), that does not establish evidence for selective dissociative amnesia (see Lynn, Krackow, Loftus, Lock, & Lilienfeld, 2014). In summary, none of these paradigms properly assess whether a trauma can be stored, rendered inaccessible as a result of trauma, and subsequently become ultimately retrievable.…”

Attachment style and clinical outcome within a DBT-informed Therapeutic Community

“…For this study, the overall mean DES-II score was used. The DES-II has excellent internal consistency (Zingrone and Alvarado, 2001; Patihis and Lynn, 2017) and was a routinely administered outcome measure within the TC.…”