This 'Prison' Where I Cannot Heal: Interactions of Culture, Dissociation, and Treatment Among Individuals Who Dissociate
Monday, April 17, 2023
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM US Eastern Time
Dissociation is influenced by cultural factors such as identity and community, among others. Related mental health treatment is also surrounded by socioculturally contextual layers, including stigma and treatment barriers. However, multicultural factors and their relationship with dissociation and treatment experiences among those who dissociate have received little attention in the research literature, despite many specialized clinicians working toward and requesting more training regarding cultural competence. In an online survey study, individuals who dissociate indicated how they understood their culture to affect their dissociative and treatment-related experiences. In this presentation, we will review our reflexive thematic analysis in which five themes were generated: (1) identification of cultural dimensions, (2) culture as a dissociation-catalyst, (3) culture as dissociation-resistance, (4) negation of culture’s impact on dissociation or treatment experiences and (5) uncertainty regarding cultural impact on dissociation or treatment experiences. Participants’ responses told a story of understanding dissociation and treatment experiences in the context of sociocultural systems and processes, including aspects such as stigma, intergenerational trauma, and systemic oppression. We will share participant quotes and discuss the implications of these findings as they apply to clinical practice and working toward cultural competence with individuals who dissociate.
