Dissociation, fantasy and imagination in childhood: a comparison of physically abused, sexually abused, and non-abused children

Abstract

Presents a preliminary investigation of the incidence of symptoms of dissociation in 39 sexually abused, physically abused, and clinical control sample of non-abused children and investigates a possible link between fantasy, imagination, and dissociation that have been demonstrated in adult populations. No evidence was found for a close link between sexual abuse and dissociative symptoms in these Ss, though there was evidence of a higher incidence of symptoms of dissociation in children suffering physical abuse. Possible reasons for the negative outcome in the sexually abused group are discussed. Overall, there was a positive relationship in this sample between measures of fantasy and imagination and dissociation scores, and validity was demonstrated for the 28-item Children’s Perceptual Alteration Scale, a measure of dissociation in children, as well as for the measures of fantasy and dissociation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)