To examine dissociation and PTSD among women with histories of childhood sexual abuse admitted to a specialized inpatient unit in Israel.
Approach:
Phase 1: Cross-sectional design assessing the inter-relationships between PTSD and dissociation in women with CSA histories (N = 108) using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II).
Phase 2: Focused on a sub-sample (N = 28) who completed the inpatient program, with admission and discharge assessments.
Key Findings:
Dissociative symptoms were positively correlated with overall PTSD severity and all PTSD symptom clusters.
The dissociative sub-measure of Absorption showed the strongest associations with PTSD symptoms.
PTSD symptoms significantly decreased following treatment.
Reductions in Absorption were associated with improvements in overall PTSD severity and Hyperarousal symptoms.
Interpretation:
Dissociation should be regarded as a major therapeutic target, particularly maladaptive absorption in patients with CSA histories.
Limitations:
The study is preliminary and based on a small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Findings should be expanded upon in larger, controlled clinical trials.
Conclusion:
The study indicates the therapeutic potential of a specialized integrated inpatient unit for women with CSA histories.
