title: Testing the dissociative taxon.
abstract: A dissociative taxon has been proposed by Waller et al. (1996) to help identify individuals experiencing pathological dissociation. We studied the frequency of taxon membership and tested its validity. A total of 276 students and 204 psychiatric inpatients completed the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). In patients with higher DES ratings, the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule was administered. Taxon classification applied to 2.9% of non-patients and to 12.7% of patients. No statistically significant relationship was found between taxon membership and the clinical diagnosis of a dissociative disorder. Taxon membership indicates a higher frequency of dissociative experiences but cannot be equated with the presence of a dissociative disorder.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, CH-8029, Zurich, Switzerland. Modestin@bli.unizh.ch
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Modestin
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Erni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic