Peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress after pregnancy loss: a prospective study.
This study examined (1). predictors for peritraumatic dissociation, (2). its relations with acute and chronic symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (3). pathways regarding these relations in response to pregnancy loss. In early pregnancy, about 1370 women volunteers completed questionnaires for neuroticism, control over emotions, dissociative tendencies, absorption, and prior life events. Of these, 126 subsequently experienced pregnancy loss and most of them completed measures 1 month (N = 118) and 4 months (N = 104) later. At 1 month, peritraumatic dissociation, memory of pregnancy loss (degree of fragmentation, sensory impressions, and emotional intensity), thought suppression, and PTSD symptoms were assessed, and at 4 months, PTSD symptoms were re-assessed. Peritraumatic dissociation was predicted by prior low control over emotions, dissociative tendencies, and lower education. It was not predicted by neuroticism, absorption, and prior life events. Peritraumatic dissociation was related to acute PTSD symptoms and LISREL analyses indicated that self-reported memory fragmentation and thought suppression of pregnancy loss mediated this relation. It also predicted chronic PTSD symptoms, and this relation was mediated by acute PTSD symptoms.
Engelhard
Iris M
IM
Department of Medical, Clinical and Experimental Psychology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. i.engelhard@dep.unimas.nl
van den Hout
Marcel A
MA
Kindt
Merel
M
Arntz
Arnoud
A
Schouten
Erik
E
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*