Dissociative, Schneiderian and borderline personality symptoms in a non-clinical sample in Hong Kong : a preliminary report

Abstract

Introduction Dissociative symptoms are common in people with trauma-related disorders and often co-occur with other psychiatric conditions. In particular, the relationships between dissociative symptoms, Schneiderian first-rank symptoms and borderline personality symptoms are still contentious, poorly understood and require more attention. Objectives This preliminary study investigated these three symptom clusters in a non-clinical Chinese sample in Hong Kong. Methods A total of 190 college students in Hong Kong completed the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Taxon (DES-T), the 5-item Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-5) and some sections of the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS). Results About one-fourth of the participants (24.7%) screened positive for one symptom cluster, 12.1% were positive for two symptom clusters; and 5.26% were positive for all three symptom clusters. Preliminary analysis showed that the three symptom clusters were associated with distress/impairment. Conclusion Dissociative, Schneiderian and borderline personality symptoms as measured in this study are not uncommon in this non-clinical Chinese sample. The data indicate that these three symptom clusters are highly related but are not the same constructs of psychopathology; the co-occurrence of these symptoms may require additional attention. The findings have significant implications for research and practice. Further studies are needed.