How-To Study Dissociative Symptoms in a Broad Range of Mental Disorders: A Methodological Primer

Dissociative symptoms—such as depersonalization, derealization, or gaps in awareness—occur across many mental disorders, not only dissociative disorders but also posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, where they significantly impair wellbeing and functioning. Despite extensive research, empirical findings on neurobiological correlates and treatment-outcome effects remain inconsistent, partly due to methodological heterogeneity and limitations. This critical review evaluates current methods for assessing and provoking dissociative symptoms in the laboratory, selecting participant samples, and considering key sample characteristics. It discusses the strengths and limits of standard and novel approaches, aiming to raise and harmonize research standards and guide future studies toward a better understanding of dissociative psychopathology.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Dissociative symptoms constitute a transdiagnostic phenomenon not only characterizing dissociative disorders but also occurring across a broad range of other mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder or borderline personality disorder. In the latter disorders, dissociative symptoms such as depersonalization, derealization, or gaps in awareness significantly burden patients' wellbeing and functioning. Many efforts have been undertaken to better understand these debilitating symptoms. However, empirical findings have not yet converged in many areas (e.g., considering neurobiological correlates or effects of dissociative psychopathology on treatment outcome), which might partially be due to the heterogeneity and limitations of employed methodology. Here, we critically review the current state-of-the-art methodology in dissociation research, comparing methods to assess dissociative symptoms, provoke dissociative symptoms in the laboratory, select the participant sample, and consider critical sample characteristics. Discussing the informative value and limits of various standard and novel methodological approaches, we aim to provide information and nuanced guidance for future research. By these means, we aim to raise and harmonize standards in dissociation research and enable researchers of all career stages to enter, navigate, and make a significant and lasting contribution to research on dissociative symptoms in a broad range of mental disorders, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of dissociative psychopathology.