title: Identifying dissociative identity disorder: a self-report and projective study.
abstract: This study compared 21 female adult psychiatric patients diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) with 21 female adult nondissociative psychiatric patients to determine whether DID patients exhibit a distinguishing set of clinical features, and perceptual, attentional, and cognitive processes. Participants were assessed with the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule to assess diagnostic status. Group scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale, Tellegen Absorption Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Rorschach test were compared. DID participants reported earlier and more severe childhood trauma, more dissociative symptoms, and a greater propensity for altered states of consciousness. The DID participants also exhibited increased projective and imaginative activity, a diminished ability to integrate mental contents, a complex and driven cognitive style, and a highly unconventional view of reality.
authors.affiliation: Gordon Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York 11530, USA. scroppo@panther.adelphi.edu
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Scroppo
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Drob
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eagle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011386:Projective Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012392:Rorschach Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology