Dissociation CBT Studies (DisCS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Treating ‘felt sense of anomaly’-type dissociative experiences by targeting putative psychological maintenance mechanisms: A Single Case Experimental Design series.
IRAS ID
325448
Contact name
Emma A Cernis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Head of Reserach Ethics, Governance and Integrity, University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
What?
Dissociation involves distressing feelings of unreality and disconnection. Evidence suggests it is particularly common amongst people with existing mental health difficulties, where it has been linked with greater clinical severity, poorer treatment response, and increased self-harm and suicidality.
Why?However, there are currently no psychological treatments for dissociation that have been developed from a scientific understanding of its underpinning psychological factors. We would like to develop such a treatment. Therefore, this series of three studies will test whether three psychological factors identified in previous research (thoughts about dissociation; worry; difficulties tolerating emotions) might cause dissociation. This information will be crucial for building a case for support to fund larger, more rigorous tests of the factors and interventions.
Who?
Twelve participants aged 16+ years, currently on a waiting list for NHS psychological therapy, who score highly on a dissociation questionnaire will take part, across three studies.
Where?
Participants will be recruited from Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Birmingham.
How?
Each of the three studies will test a different psychological factor. Participants will record a score for their dissociation and the psychological factor being targeted in their study every day for the duration of their participation. They will also complete questionnaires before and after treatment, and at a one-month follow-up.
For each of the three studies, all four participants will complete their baseline assessment in the same week, and then be randomly allocated to wait either one, two, three, or four weeks before starting the intervention. The intervention will consist of four therapy sessions taking place within a five-week ‘window’. Therefore, the total participation time will be between 12 and 15 weeks.
Taking part in the research is voluntary. Before deciding whether to participate, we will explain the study and answer any questions.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0163
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion