The Relationship Between Aces and Dissociative Experiences in Later Life

Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known to have a negative impact on child well-being. Dissociative symptoms, including withdrawal, emotional constriction, memory problems, depersonalization, and derealization are known to be related to experiences, such as physical or sexual abuse. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between different forms of ACEs (verbal, physical, non-verbal emotional abuse, physical and emotional neglect) and dissociative experiences in later life.

For this, the present study utilized a representative sample of Lithuanian residents aged 18 to 29 (N = 2000). The participants completed the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure (MACE) scale and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II) to assess their adverse childhood experiences and the intensity of dissociative experiences in later life.

For every type of abuse and neglect the participants who have experienced abuse or neglect demonstrate significantly higher scores of DES-II than those who did not. The results also revealed that the participants who experienced multiple types of abuse or neglect demonstrate higher scores of DES-II than participants who indicate having experienced only one type of abuse or neglect. Comparing DES-II scores between participants who experienced different types of abuse or neglect revealed that those who experienced non-verbal emotional abuse exhibit significantly higher scores of DES-II than participants who experienced other types of abuse or neglect. Lastly, the analyses revealed that the intensity of physical and non-verbal emotional abuse could predict the intensity of dissociative experiences in later life.

The findings indicate a clear connection between various forms of abuse or neglect and the development of dissociative experiences in adulthood. Specifically, individuals who endure multiple types of abuse or neglect are more likely to experience heightened levels of dissociation later in life. Additionally, the intensity of dissociative experiences tends to be greater in those who have suffered more severe physical or non-verbal emotional abuse. These results underscore the lasting impact of early traumatic experiences on psychological well-being, highlighting the importance of addressing such issues in both clinical and social contexts.