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Cited by 34Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchPsychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

Shame, Dissociation, and Complex PTSD Symptoms in Traumatized Psychiatric and Control Groups: Direct and Indirect Associations With Relationship Distress

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Dorahy, Martin J., Corry, Mary, Black, Rebecca, Matheson, Laura, Coles, Holly, Curran, David, Seager, Lenaire, Middleton, Warwick +1 more·2017·Journal of Clinical Psychology
DOI 10.1002/jclp.22339
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Abstract

Objectives: Elevated shame and dissociation are common in dissociative identity disorder (DID) and chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are part of the constellation of symptoms defined as complex PTSD. Previous work examined the relationship between shame, dissociation, and complex PTSD and whether they are associated with intimate relationship anxiety, relationship depression, and fear of relationships. This study investigated these variables in traumatized clinical samples and a nonclinical community group. Method: Participants were drawn from the DID (n = 20), conflict‐related chronic PTSD (n = 65), and nonclinical (n = 125) populations and completed questionnaires assessing the variables of interest. A model examining the direct impact of shame and dissociation on relationship functioning, and their indirect effect via complex PTSD symptoms, was tested through path analysis. Results: The DID sample reported significantly higher dissociation, shame, complex PTSD symptom severity, relationship anxiety, relationship depression, and fear of relationships than the other two samples. Support was found for the proposed model, with shame directly affecting relationship anxiety and fear of relationships, and pathological dissociation directly affecting relationship anxiety and relationship depression. The indirect effect of shame and dissociation via complex PTSD symptom severity was evident on all relationship variables. Conclusion: Shame and pathological dissociation are important for not only the effect they have on the development of other complex PTSD symptoms, but also their direct and indirect effects on distress associated with relationships.

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Authors
Dorahy, M. J., Corry, M., Black, R., Matheson, L., Coles, H., Curran, D., Seager, L., Middleton, W., & Dyer, K. F. W.
Affiliations
  • University of Canterbury (NZ)
  • Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (GB)
  • South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (GB)
  • Queen's University Belfast (GB)
  • The Cannan Institute
Corresponding author
Dorahy, Martin J.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Clinical Psychology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-07-11
Volume
73
Issue
4
Pages
439-448
ISSN
  • 0021-9762 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-4679
DOI
10.1002/jclp.22339
OpenAlex
W2483329222
Cited by
34
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3
FWCI
2.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (Queen's University Belfast) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Keywords
shame, dissociation, complex PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, chronic posttraumatic stress disorder, relationship anxiety, trauma
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Depression, Dissociative Disorders, Fear, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Middle Aged, Sexual Partners, Shame, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Young Adult

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