Dialectical Core Schemas Mediate the Relationships Between Dissociative Experiences and Symptomatology in a Community Sample

Abstract

Background: Maladaptive cognitions about the self and others are associated with a wide array of dysfunctional responses and psychopathological symptoms in non-clinical and clinical samples. Dissociative experiences (e.g., depersonalization and derealization) as a coping response to stressful situations lie on a continuum from healthy to unhealthy but are generally elevated in individuals experiencing mental illness. However, the extent to which Dialectical Core Schemas explain the relationship between dissociative experiences and symptomatology is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mediating role of Dialectical Core Schemas on the relationship between dissociative experiences and symptomatology. Methods: A community sample of 179 participants were recruited (Mage = 21.2 years, SD = 8.2). Data were gathered through self-report questionnaires using a cross-sectional design. Results: Maladaptive core schemas about self and others correlated positively with all dissociative experiences (e.g., depersonalization/derealization, amnesia), while adaptive core schemas about the self correlated negatively with depersonalization/derealization and distractibility. Maladaptive core schemas mediated the relationship between dissociative experiences and symptomatology. Conclusions: The relationships between dissociative experiences and symptomatology are bi-directional. Exploring the mediating factors may help clinicians and researchers better understand how to enhance case conceptualization and clinical decision-making.