The protective role of social support against dissociative symptoms: Longitudinal findings from two international survey projects

Abstract

Background: Dissociative symptoms are prevalent and disabling, but little is known about what factors can longitudinally predict dissociative symptoms. This study examined the protective role of perceived social support against dissociative symptoms. Methods: We analyzed data from the International Dissociative Depression Survey Project (N = 152) and the International Female Mental Health Survey Project (N = 293). In both samples, participants completed validated measures of dissociative symptoms and perceived social support at baseline, and then reported their dissociative symptoms after approximately 6 to 12 months. We tested the hypothesis that perceived social support would predict subsequent dissociative symptoms in each sample and see whether the results could be replicated across different samples. Results: After controlling for demographic variables, childhood trauma, and baseline dissociative symptoms, baseline perceived social support was significantly associated with fewer dissociative symptoms at follow-up (β = − 0.129 to − 0.198, p =.001). The results were replicated across the two samples. Conclusion: This study contributes to the very limited literature on the longitudinal predictors of dissociative symptoms. Our results point to the critical role of social-interpersonal and family interventions in preventing and treating dissociative symptoms.