THE IMPACT OF RACE ON THE DISSOCIATIVE EXPERIENCES SCALE

Scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale were compared between a g roup of 48 white and 48 black veterans being treated for alcohol or po lysubstance abuse in a V.A. Medical Center. Groups were matched for ag e, education, number of previous treatments, IQ, marital status, emplo yment status, history of childhood abuse, and psychological discomfort . Blacks achieved significantly higher scores than whites. Hypotheses were discussed to explain these findings from psycho-diagnostic and cr oss-cultural perspectives.