The relationship between dissociative experiences and childhood trauma in nursing and midwifery students

Abstract

Objective: dissociative disorders usually have a poor prognosis. Childhood trauma is one of the most important predisposing factors for it. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dissociative experiences with childhood abuse, in nursing and midwifery students of Rafsanjan University Medical Science.Patients and methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out in nursing and midwifery students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. The students were asked to complete Dissociative Experience (DES) and Traumatic Life Events Questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, chi-square test and pearson correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis.Results and discussion. The prevalence of moderate and severe dissociative experiences among the participated students was about 38%. Nearly 50% of the students reported to have moderate to severe childhood injuries. Significantly higher dissociative experiences scores were observed in men compare with women (P=0.015). Moderate correlations were detected between subscales of childhood traumatic life events questionnaire and dissociative experiences score (P<0.05). Conclusion. The prevalence of dissociative experiences among the studied students was moderately high which revealed the necessity and importance of psychological counseling among health professional students. A positive correlation was detected between dissociative disorders and traumatic events. Therefore, in order to reduce the chance of dissociative disorder, childhood psychological counseling is necessary in children who have had traumatic events. Keywords: dissociative disorders, adult survivors of child adverse events, nursing, midwifery>˂ 0.05).Conclusion. The prevalence of dissociative experiences among the studied students was moderately high which revealed the necessity and importance of psychological counseling among health professional students. A positive correlation was detected between dissociative disorders and traumatic events. Therefore, in order to reduce the chance of dissociative disorder, childhood psychological counseling is necessary in children who have had traumatic events.