Dissociation following traumatic medical treatment procedures in childhood: A longitudinal follow-up

• DOI: 10.1017/s0954579406060135
• Publication Date: 2006-10-03T08:37:11Z
• Authors: TROND H. DISETH
• Keywords: Dissociative Experiences Scale; Dissociative disorders; Longitudinal Study

Chronic illnesses often involve repeated hospitalization and invasive treatment procedures that can have a traumatic impact on child development. To explore possible consequences of procedures, three groups patients with congenital anomalies were examined longitudinally. At first admission, adolescents (ages 10-20, mean 15) anorectal (n = 14), Hirschsprung disease hospitalized controls 14) assessed for somatic function, mental health, dissociative experiences. The assessment included the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES). 10-year follow-up, completed (DES) Somatoform Questionnaire (SDQ-20). Anal dilatation, an medical procedure performed daily by parents 4 years, was correlated frequency severity persisting symptomatology. only significant predictor A-DES SDQ-20 scores, one two predictors DES scores. This "experiment nature" permitted specific unique opportunity to examine early exposure development in absence parental malevolence, later outcome adolescence adulthood. findings might be valuable theoretically our understanding psychopathology, may lend itself comparison data sexually abused children.