Prevalence and correlates of dissociative symptoms among people with depression

Background: To improve the outcomes of depression treatment, personalized treatments that take individual needs into account are recommended. Recent research suggests that a subgroup of depressed people who suffer from co-occurring dissociation may be more likely to have encountered traumatic or stressful experiences and they may also have more psychosocial intervention needs. Methods: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of dissociative symptoms in an online convenience sample of people (N = 410) from 18 different countries/regions who reported clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms (indicated by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score >= 10). Results: Over 60% of participants exhibited clinically significant levels of dissociative symptoms (indicated by a Multiscale Dissociation Inventory total score >66). Compared with those with low levels of dissociative symptoms, participants with high levels of dissociative symptoms reported more traumas, interpersonal stress, depression and trauma-related symptoms. Emotional constriction in particular had a weak but significant negative correlation with the level of perceived medication benefits. Limitations: The use of an online convenience sample could limit the generalizability of our findings. Our crosssectional data could not demonstrate causal relationships between the study variables. Conclusions: The findings highlight a need for complex health interventions for depressed people with cooccurring dissociative symptoms, focusing not only on depressive symptoms but also addressing trauma and dissociation-related symptoms.

Automated summary

This study found that a subgroup of depressed individuals with co-occurring dissociation may have experienced traumatic or stressful events. For these individuals, complex health interventions are needed to address not only depressive symptoms but also trauma and dissociation-related symptoms.