Validation of a French version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale in a rape-victim population.

OBJECTIVE

To appreciate the extent and the features of dissociation in a hypothesized highly dissociated population, rape trauma victims, while assessing construct validity and internal consistency of a French version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), a simple screening instrument for dissociative symptoms.

METHODS

One hundred and forty rape victims (mean age 23.6 years, 9% male) consecutively attending a Consultation for Victims of Psychological Trauma at the university hospital in Tours, France, were assessed through a French version of the 28-item self-rated DES.

RESULTS

The mean score (24.1) was high, and 33% of the scores exceeded a threshold set at 30. The Principal Components Analysis of the DES ratings yielded a 3-factor solution: depersonalization-derealization, amnestic fragmentation of identity, and absorption-imaginative involvement. DES reliability was studied through computation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.94).

CONCLUSION

During validation of a French version of the DES, the study showed that dissociation is considerably linked to rape-trauma victim populations.