Dissociative tendencies and the sitting duck: are self-reports of dissociation and victimization symptomatic of neuroticism?

Previous research has shown dissociative tendencies are related to a reported history of childhood abuse. A recent study by Johnson, Edman, and Danko (1995) suggested, however, that dissociation may be associated with a more general tendency to recall and report negative life experiences. Johnson and colleagues hypothesized that the relationship between dissociation and self-reported victimization stems from their shared origin as neurotic symptoms. In a test of this hypothesis, Australian adults (N = 92) were administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief, the Bad Things Scale, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between dissociation and self-reported victimization even after the contribution of neuroticism had been removed. Schizotypy also was found to be a predictor of dissociative tendencies. The hypothesis of Johnson and colleagues was rejected. The findings are discussed in relation to traumagenic models of dissociation.