The main purpose of the present study was to determine the relation between
specific dissociative experiences (depersonalization. fantasies) and self-
reported coping behavior in a clinical (depression, anxiety, schizophrenia)
and nonclinical sample (normal adults). Dissociative experiences were asse
ssed with the Questionnaire of Experiences of Dissociation (QED) of Riley (
1988) and coping behavior with the Stress-Process Questionnaire (SPQ: Janke
, Erdmann, & Boucsein. 1985). A factor analysis of the QED items revealed a
two-factor extraction: Factor 1 "depersonalization" and Factor 2 "fantasie
s/daydreams." The clinical group scored higher on the QED factor "depersona
lization" and had more passive forms of coping behavior (resignation. socia
l isolation, self-compassion. self-blame) than the normal adults. Similar c
orrelation patterns were found for both groups: The QED factor "depersonali
zation" correlated highly with the coping behaviors "resignation," "social
isolation." "self-blame." "self-compassion." and "rumination." No correlati
on between Factor 2 "fantasies/daydreams" and the coping behavior was found
. Finally, correlations between depersonalization. trait anxiety, and perso
nal need for structure were reported. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.