TY - JOUR
T1 - Dissociative symptoms among community health service users in Hong Kong
T2 - a longitudinal study of clinical course and consequences
AU - Fung, Hong Wang
AU - Lam, Stanley Kam Ki
AU - Chien, Wai Tong
AU - Ng, Albe Sin Ying
AU - Wong, Emily Nga Man
AU - Ross, Colin A.
AU - Hung, Suet Lin
AU - Lee, Vincent Wan Ping
N1 - Acknowledgements:
We would like to thank the Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners, including Lam Chan, Choy Kit Wa, Lai Hei Chun, Ng Yuen Ki, Lam Nga Fung, Phoebe Chau and Charles Wan, who provided support in recruiting participants. The first author (HWF) received The RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme 2022/2023 from the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the high prevalence of dissociative symptoms and their association with considerable healthcare costs. However, there is a lack of studies that describe whether dissociative symptoms persist and lead to other clinical outcomes over time in the community. Objectives: This study investigated the persistence, predictors, and consequences of dissociative symptoms in the community. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data in a sample of community health service users in Hong Kong (N = 173). Results: A relatively high proportion (63.6%) of participants with baseline dissociative symptoms continued to exhibit dissociative symptoms after approximately 9 months. Baseline non-betrayal trauma predicted subsequent dissociative symptoms (β =.141, p =.024). Participants with baseline dissociative symptoms were more likely to have received subsequent emergency mental health services (9.1% vs 0.7%, p =.005). Baseline dissociative symptoms significantly predicted subsequent post-traumatic symptoms (β =.165 to.191, p <.05) and difficulty in social and occupational participation (β = −.152 to −.182, p <.05) even after controlling for baseline scores, trauma exposure, and use of professional support. The predictive role of dissociative symptoms on subsequent disturbances in self-organization symptoms and social participation difficulty remained significant after applying the Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: This is one of the very few studies showing that dissociative symptoms are persistent to a certain degree and could predict other symptoms and subsequent impairments even in community settings. Factors that affect the trajectory of dissociative symptoms should be further investigated. Regular screening for dissociative symptoms is recommended. Considering its prevalence, persistence, and clinical and social consequences, dissociation should be given greater public health attention.
AB - Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the high prevalence of dissociative symptoms and their association with considerable healthcare costs. However, there is a lack of studies that describe whether dissociative symptoms persist and lead to other clinical outcomes over time in the community. Objectives: This study investigated the persistence, predictors, and consequences of dissociative symptoms in the community. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data in a sample of community health service users in Hong Kong (N = 173). Results: A relatively high proportion (63.6%) of participants with baseline dissociative symptoms continued to exhibit dissociative symptoms after approximately 9 months. Baseline non-betrayal trauma predicted subsequent dissociative symptoms (β =.141, p =.024). Participants with baseline dissociative symptoms were more likely to have received subsequent emergency mental health services (9.1% vs 0.7%, p =.005). Baseline dissociative symptoms significantly predicted subsequent post-traumatic symptoms (β =.165 to.191, p <.05) and difficulty in social and occupational participation (β = −.152 to −.182, p <.05) even after controlling for baseline scores, trauma exposure, and use of professional support. The predictive role of dissociative symptoms on subsequent disturbances in self-organization symptoms and social participation difficulty remained significant after applying the Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: This is one of the very few studies showing that dissociative symptoms are persistent to a certain degree and could predict other symptoms and subsequent impairments even in community settings. Factors that affect the trajectory of dissociative symptoms should be further investigated. Regular screening for dissociative symptoms is recommended. Considering its prevalence, persistence, and clinical and social consequences, dissociation should be given greater public health attention.
KW - dissociation
KW - primary care
KW - social and occupational participation
KW - traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
KW - trauma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85175406049&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/20008066.2023.2269695
DO - 10.1080/20008066.2023.2269695
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 37902274
AN - SCOPUS:85175406049
SN - 2000-8066
VL - 14
JO - European Journal of Psychotraumatology
JF - European Journal of Psychotraumatology
IS - 2
M1 - 2269695
ER -
