Dissociation as a Mediator of Interpersonal Trauma and Depression: Adulthood versus Childhood Interpersonal Traumas

Abstract Extensive research has established that interpersonal trauma is related to depression and dissociation severity. Extending prior research, this study found that childhood and adulthood interpersonal traumas in childhood and adulthood are related to depressive symptoms, examining the role of the dissociative process as a mediator. Two hundred eighty-nine adult participants retrospectively reported on traumatic experiences and current symptoms of dissociation and depression. Indicating that both childhood and adulthood interpersonal traumas are related to the severity of depression. However, childhood interpersonal trauma is associated with a higher level of dissociative symptoms. Moreover, dissociation mediates the effects of childhood interpersonal trauma on depression, but not adulthood interpersonal trauma. In conclusion, the current study emphasizes the significance of dissociation in depression development and maintenance, especially in patients who experienced childhood interpersonal trauma. These findings underscore that developing an intervention targeting dissociation is important for preventing retrospective depression, especially for victims of childhood interpersonal trauma.