Trauma severity and initial reactions as precipitating factors for posttraumatic stress symptoms and chronic dissociation in former political prisoners

This study explores the relationships among trauma severity, initial trauma reactions, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and dissociation in a group of 98 former East-German political prisoners. Trauma severity a nd initial reactions were assessed using a persecution checklist and a copi ng process questionnaire. PTSD symptoms were assessed through a structured clinical interview. Chronic dissociation was evaluated using the Dissociati ve Experiences Scale. The two assumptions of the study were confirmed by st ructural equation modeling: (1) Lifetime PTSD symptoms were predominantly p redicted by initial reactions to trauma and (2) chronic dissociation was pr edominantly predicted by trauma severity. The first finding is discussed in relation to the participants' initial trauma processing. The second findin g is discussed especially in the context of trauma duration and dissociatio n-prone coping attempts. Limitations concerning the long-term interval betw een traumatization and data collection are discussed.