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BACKGROUND: Dissociative symptoms during trauma predict post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but they are often transient. It is controversial whether they predict chronic PTSD over and above what can be predicted from other post-trauma symptoms. AIMS: To investigate prospectively the relationship between dissociative symptoms before, during and after a trauma and other psychological predictors, and chronic PTSD. METHOD: Two samples of 27 and 176 road traffic accident survivors were recruited. Patients were assessed shortly after the accident and followed at intervals over the next 6 months. Assessments included measures of dissociation, memory fragmentation, data-driven processing, rumination and PTSD symptoms. RESULTS: All measures of dissociation, particularly persistent dissociation 4 weeks after the accident, predicted chronic PTSD severity at 6 months. Dissociative symptoms predicted subsequent PTSD over and above the other PTSD symptom clusters. Memory fragmentation and data-driven processing also predicted PTSD. Rumination about the accident was among the strongest predictors of subsequent PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent dissociation and rumination 4 weeks after trauma are more useful in identifying those patients who are likely to develop chronic PTSD than initial reactions.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Psychiatry

Publication Date

04/2002

Volume

180

Pages

363 - 368

Keywords

Accidents, Traffic, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Chronic Disease, Cognition Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, Female, Humans, Male, Memory Disorders, Middle Aged, Predictive Value of Tests, Prognosis, Prospective Studies, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Regression Analysis, Severity of Illness Index, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic