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Reality versus fantasy: Reply to Lynn et al. (2014).

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Author

  • Constance J Dalenberg
  • Bethany L Brand
  • Richard J Loewenstein
  • David H Gleaves
  • Martin J Dorahy
  • Etzel Cardeña
  • Paul A Frewen
  • Eve B Carlson
  • David Spiegel

Summary, in English

We respond to Lynn et al.'s (2014) comments on our review (Dalenberg et al., 2012) demonstrating the superiority of the trauma model (TM) over the fantasy model (FM) in explaining the trauma-dissociation relationship. Lynn et al. conceded that our meta-analytic results support the TM hypothesis that trauma exposure is a causal risk factor for the development of dissociation. Although Lynn et al. suggested that our meta-analyses were selective, we respond that each omitted study failed to meet inclusion criteria; our meta-analyses thus reflect a balanced view of the predominant trauma-dissociation findings. In contrast, Lynn et al. were hypercritical of studies that supported the TM while ignoring methodological problems in studies presented as supportive of the FM. We clarify Lynn et al.'s misunderstandings of the TM and demonstrate consistent superiority in prediction of time course of dissociative symptoms, response to psychotherapy of dissociative patients, and pattern of relationships of trauma to dissociation. We defend our decision not to include studies using the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Comparison, a rarely used revision of the Dissociative Experiences Scale that shares less than 10% of the variance with the original scale. We highlight several areas of agreement: (a) Trauma plays a complex role in dissociation, involving indirect and direct paths; (b) dissociation-suggestibility relationships are small; and (c) controls and measurement issues should be addressed in future suggestibility and dissociation research. Considering the lack of evidence that dissociative individuals simply fantasize trauma, future researchers should examine more complex models of trauma and valid measures of dissociation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

Publishing year

2014

Language

English

Pages

911-920

Publication/Series

Psychological Bulletin

Volume

140

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article (letter)

Publisher

American Psychological Association (APA)

Topic

  • Psychology

Status

Published

Research group

  • CERCAP (Center for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology)

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1939-1455