The possibility of using dissociation to identify mental health service users with more psychosocial intervention needs : rationale and preliminary evidence

Abstract

The ability to predict which groups of mental health service users are more likely to require psychosocial care could facilitate intervention planning and optimize the utilization of resources. Dissociation may be a transdiagnostic indicator of psychosocial intervention needs because dissociation is theoretically and empirically associated with psychosocial adversities. This paper explains why that may be the case. We investigated the association of somatoform dissociation with indicators of psychosocial intervention needs (e.g., childhood trauma, poor family well-being, psychosocial-related symptoms) in a convenience sample of mental health service users (N = 111). The preliminary evidence supports the idea that dissociation is a transdiagnostic indicator of psychosocial intervention needs. Dissociation should be regularly assessed in mental health settings because it may help social workers and other psychosocial service providers identify service users who may especially need psychosocial care when there is a lack of resources. Further studies and discussions are needed.