Dissociative Experiences of Vietnam Veterans with Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Abstract
Interest in dissociation has been renewed, and its relationship to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is especially intriguing. In this study 57 consecutively admitted chronic, combat-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder sufferers were grouped by scores on a dissociative scale (Dissociative Experiences Scale). The three groups (high, medium, and low) were compared on personality measures (MMPI basic scales and subscales, and Millon's MCMI), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder measures, and a psychophysiological index of heart rate under baseline trauma conditions. The results showed that the survivors with more dissociative experiences show distinctive and higher symptom levels--excessive fearfulness, symptoms of strange experiences, and high tonic psychophysiological states--as well as greater severity of ratings of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (on the Mississippi Scale). The discussion addressed the possible role of dissociation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
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In Hyer et al. (1993), there were no differences in heart rate between the high and low dissociation groups either under the trauma condition (p > .050, d = 0.27) or based on the change score (p > .050, d = 0.37).
“Neither under the trauma condition (p > .050, d = 0.27) nor based on the change score (p > .050, d = 0.37) were there any differences between the high vs. low dissociation group.”
From Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients (2022) · cites this paper as Hyer et al. (1993)
In Hyer et al. (1993), using personalized trauma stimuli, the high dissociative group had higher heart rate than the medium dissociative group under a trauma condition (p < .050, d = 0.34), but this difference was no longer present when calculated as a change score (p > .050, d = 0.10).
“Using personalized trauma stimuli, only Hyer et al. (1993) found a higher HR in a high dissociative group than in a medium dissociative group under a trauma condition (p < .050, d = 0.34), which was no longer present when the calculation was based on the change score (p > .050, d = 0.10).”
From Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients (2022) · cites this paper as Hyer et al. (1993)
In Hyer et al. (1993), under baseline conditions, heart rate in the high dissociation group was increased compared to the medium (p < .010, d = 0.44) and low dissociation groups (p < .050, d = 0.26).
“Under baseline conditions, HR in the high dissociation group was increased as compared to the medium (p < .010, d = 0.44) and low dissociation groups (p < .050, d = 0.26; see Supplemental Table S2).”
From Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients (2022) · cites this paper as Hyer et al. (1993)
Two other studies demonstrated hyperactive autonomic responses to traumatic content.
“whereas two other studies (Hyer et al., 1993; Schmahl et al., 2004) demonstrated hyperactive autonomic responses to traumatic content.”
From Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients (2022) · cites this paper as Hyer et al., 1993
The authors observed lower autonomic activity in people with high acute dissociation, higher HR in those with high trait dissociation, and no physiologic effect in those with high peritraumatic dissociation.
“We observed lower autonomic activity in people with high acute dissociation (Sack et al., 2012), higher HR in those with high trait dissociation (Hyer et al., 1993), and no physiologic effect in those with high peritraumatic dissociation (Kaufman et al., 2002).”
From Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients (2022) · cites this paper as Hyer et al., 1993
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- Authors
- Hyer, L. A., Albrecht, J. W., Boudewyns, P. A., Woods, M. G., & Brandsma, J.
- Affiliations
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (US)
- Venue
- Psychological Reports
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1993-10
- Volume
- 73
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 519-530
- ISSN
- 0033-2941 (ISSN-L)
- 1558-691X
- OpenAlex
- W2058925028
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 3.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Reports (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- dissociation, chronic posttraumatic stress disorder, Vietnam War veterans, war injuries, Dissociative Experiences Scale, heart rate, psychophysiological arousal, fearfulness, personality traits, dissociative experiences
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Arousal, Combat Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, Humans, Male, Personality Inventory, Psychometrics, Veterans
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