Assessing markers of working memory function in dissociative identity disorder using neutral stimuli: a comparison with clinical and general population samples.
OBJECTIVE
Memory functioning is a central conceptual and phenomenological aspect of dissociative identity disorder (DID). Most empirical work on memory functions in DID has focused on retrieval deficits either within or between dissociated identities. The current study attempted to remedy the scant attention given to working memory functioning.


METHODS
In samples representing the DID, non-clinical, depressed, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis populations (n = 10 per group), neutral stimuli were used to examine three markers of working memory functioning: one measuring inhibition; one assessing facilitation; and one measuring interference.


RESULTS
With the exception of the psychosis sample all groups displayed significant negative priming in the distractor inhibition condition. Facilitation effects were demonstrated by the DID and PTSD groups only. Interference effects were evident in all samples, though the DID and non-clinical groups demonstrated significantly more interference than the psychosis cohort. Distractor inhibition was related to overall schizotypy scores, and dissociation was related to scores in the facilitation condition.


CONCLUSIONS
The DID sample displayed a completely distinct functional working memory profile to the psychosis sample when assessed with emotionally neutral stimuli. However, the working memory profile in the DID sample was not entirely dissimilar to the other comparison groups.
Dorahy
Martin J
MJ
Psychologist, Clinical Psychology Program, School of Psychology, Queens University, David Keir Building, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5BP, Northern Ireland. M.Dorahy@qub.ac.uk
Irwin
Harvey J
HJ
Middleton
Warwick
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology