Measuring and understanding positive beliefs and dissociation

Abstract

Dissociation generally has a negative discourse surrounding it, whereby people tend to view it as dysfunctional. Emerging qualitative research has indicated that people may have functions or positive beliefs of dissociative experiences. Within the current literature, there is mixed findings as to whether dissociation tends to interferes with therapy efficacy. A better understanding of how dissociation can influence treatment outcome and be a somewhat ‘functional’ experience, could have important implications for psychological therapies for those who experience dissociation. Furthermore, this may encourage a more open minded, balanced approach to dissociation, guiding clinicians away from assumed pathology. A systematic literature review is presented in paper one. This review explored if dissociation influenced psychological treatment efficacy within randomised controlled trials, for clients with mental health difficulties. The majority of studies included within this paper found that dissociation did not influence outcomes, although this lack of association may be the case as interventions could have indirectly targeted dissociation related difficulties. Mixed findings were found as to whether dissociation influenced therapy drop out. Clinical and research implications are discussed. An empirical study is presented in paper two. This study is the first to explore if individuals have positive beliefs of their dissociative experiences, and if these beliefs can maintain dissociation itself. To explore this, a novel-self report questionnaire; the positive beliefs about dissociation questionnaire (PBD-Q) was developed and the psychometric properties were assessed. An exploratory factor analysis revealed three different factors which were termed: positive beliefs about emotion management, positive beliefs about self-expression, and positive beliefs about maintaining social image. The PBD-Q has excellent psychometric properties. Clinical and research implications are discussed. A personal reflection and critical evaluation of the research is presented in paper three. This paper provides a reflective discussion of the researcher’s experience of undertaking the study and how this research is connected to her personal lived experience of trauma and dissociation. A critical evaluation will also explore strengths and limitation of the research, and further expand on the rationale for certain decisions throughout the study.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Richard Brown (Supervisor)