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

Dalenberg, Constance J ; Brand, Bethany L ; Loewenstein, Richard J ; Gleaves, David H ; Dorahy, Martin J ; Cardeña, Etzel LU orcid ; Frewen, Paul A ; Carlson, Eve B and Spiegel, David (2014) In Psychological Bulletin 140(3). p.911-920
Abstract
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... (More)
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). (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Psychological Bulletin
volume
140
issue
3
pages
911 - 920
publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
external identifiers
  • pmid:24773506
  • wos:000335224800011
  • scopus:84904883424
  • pmid:24773506
ISSN
1939-1455
DOI
10.1037/a0036685
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c5e48c16-b6a5-45a8-9483-66f28a99993c (old id 4429369)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 09:59:34
date last changed
2022-03-27 03:43:35
@article{c5e48c16-b6a5-45a8-9483-66f28a99993c,
  abstract     = {{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).}},
  author       = {{Dalenberg, Constance J and Brand, Bethany L and Loewenstein, Richard J and Gleaves, David H and Dorahy, Martin J and Cardeña, Etzel and Frewen, Paul A and Carlson, Eve B and Spiegel, David}},
  issn         = {{1939-1455}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{911--920}},
  publisher    = {{American Psychological Association (APA)}},
  series       = {{Psychological Bulletin}},
  title        = {{Reality versus fantasy: Reply to Lynn et al. (2014).}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0036685}},
  doi          = {{10.1037/a0036685}},
  volume       = {{140}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}