Dissociative symptoms among community health service users in Hong Kong: a longitudinal study of clinical course and consequences

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the high prevalence of dissociative symptoms and their association with considerable healthcare costs. However, there is a lack of studies that describe whether dissociative symptoms persist and lead to other clinical outcomes over time in the community. Objectives: This study investigated the persistence, predictors, and consequences of dissociative symptoms in the community. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data in a sample of community health service users in Hong Kong (N = 173). Results: A relatively high proportion (63.6%) of participants with baseline dissociative symptoms continued to exhibit dissociative symptoms after approximately 9 months. Baseline non-betrayal trauma predicted subsequent dissociative symptoms (β =.141, p =.024). Participants with baseline dissociative symptoms were more likely to have received subsequent emergency mental health services (9.1% vs 0.7%, p =.005). Baseline dissociative symptoms significantly predicted subsequent post-traumatic symptoms (β =.165 to.191, p