Development and validation of a brief measure of pathological dissociation: Laddis/Kira Pathological Dissociation Scale: Initial Psychometrics

The study developed the Laddis/Kira screening nine-item measure for pathological dissociation on a longitudinal sample of 228. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis found a one-factor structure. The measure had a large correlation with another measure of dissociation establishing its convergent validity, and a negative correlation with the will to exist, live, and survive establishing its divergent validity. It has a large correlation with complex PTSD (CPTSD) and executive function deficits establishing its predictive and criterion validity. It had good reliability and test-retest stability. The measure associated significantly higher with CPTSD compared with the comparable measure of DES-B. The study provided initial evidence of the measure's robust psychometrics.