Objective indicators of posttraumatic dissociation

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Ilona Croy; Dr. Julia Schellong
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 408068658

Dissociation is a psychological phenomenon, which can accompany various mental disorders. Typical symptoms last only minutes and involve depersonalization, derealization und changes of emotional experience. The symptomatalogy is furthermore characterized by a reduced sensory perception and emotional experience. In order to identify neurobiological changes in dissociation, previous research focused almost solely on reports of subjective experiences. This approach is problematic insofar, as the reports are hindered by the symptomatology itself and as there are few common operationalized constructs. Up to now, no empirical data is available which allows an objective quantification of the severity of dissociation. This is however pivotal in order to understand the neurobiological correlates of dissociation and its impact on the therapeutic process. We therefore aim to examine objective markers of depression in an experimental design. Based on the literature, the following potential markers have been identified: reduced pain perception, reduced olfactory perception, enhanced muscle tonus and cardiovascular changes. In an experimental design with symptom provocation, those parameters are examined for their usability as markers for dissociation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants