Dissociative Identities as Archetypal Scaffolds: Integrating Neuroscience, DSM-5-TR, and Analytical Psychology
Emirati Journal of Applied Psychology June 24, 2026 Chacko George
Dissociative identities, such as those seen in dissociative identity disorder, often display coherent emotional tones, narrative structures, and culturally recognizable symbolic roles, rather than random fragmentation. This paper proposes that these identities arise as archetypal scaffolds from a social–transpersonal unconscious when intense stress, somatoform disruption, or altered mind–body communication weakens ego integration. The identities are psychologically mediated symbolic structures, not literal past-life memories or autonomous personalities. The model integrates DSM-5-TR psychopathology, stress–dissociation theory, neuroscience, and Jungian analytical psychology, drawing on clinical observations from about forty-eight cases to explain the origin, structure, and symbolic organization of dissociative identities.