Relationship between dissociative symptomatology and declarative and procedural memory in adolescent psychiatric patients.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dissociative symptomatology and declarative and procedural memory. Subjects were 41 consecutively admitted adolescent psychiatric patients, 13 to 19 years old. Each subject completed the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES). Declarative memory was assessed by the California Verbal Learning Test and procedural memory by the Tower of Toronto puzzle. All subjects were controlled for IQ and severity of psychiatric illness. Data analysis was done by multiple regression. Multiple regression analysis revealed a model in which 71% variance of the A-DES scores was explained by psychiatric illness and specific memory variables. This study confirms a strong interrelationship between clinical dissociation and severity of psychiatric illness. Moreover, clinical dissociation seems to be associated with specific memory dysfunctions, indicating that dissociation exerts an impact on basic information processing.