Bidirectional relationships among complex PTSD, dissociation, and psychotic symptoms in two samples.

Although trauma-related symptoms (e.g. complex PTSD and dissociative symptoms) and psychotic symptoms often co-occur, little is known about the complex relationships among these symptoms over time. This study examined the bidirectional relationships among complex PTSD symptoms, dissociative symptoms, and positive symptoms of psychosis. This study analyzed available longitudinal data from two convenience samples (Sample 1:  = 214, Chinese-speaking adults; Sample 2:  = 301, English-speaking adults). Participants in both samples completed validated measures of ICD-11 complex PTSD (that included measurement of 'classical' PTSD), dissociation, and positive symptoms of psychosis at baseline and follow-up, six months (Sample 1) or 12 months (Sample 2) apart. A cross-lagged panel model was used to examine the longitudinal relationship between trauma-related symptoms and psychotic symptoms in each sample. In Sample 1, baseline dissociative symptoms significantly predicted positive symptoms of psychosis at follow-up. In Sample 2, no significant longitudinal relationships between trauma-related and psychotic symptoms were observed. In both samples, baseline disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms predicted 'classical' PTSD symptoms at follow-up. This study made the first attempt to examine the longitudinal relationships among ICD-11 complex PTSD symptoms, dissociative symptoms, and psychotic symptoms. The inconsistent findings point to the importance of further research on the longitudinal relationships between trauma-related and psychotic symptoms. Moreover, our results indicate that addressing DSO symptoms may be important in the prevention and treatment of PTSD symptoms.