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. 2016 May 16:4:18-23.
doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2016.04.001. eCollection 2016 Jun.

Dissociation mediates the relationship between peer victimization and hallucinatory experiences among early adolescents

Syudo Yamasaki  1 , Shuntaro Ando  1   2 , Shinsuke Koike  3 , Satoshi Usami  4 , Kaori Endo  1 , Paul French  5 , Tsukasa Sasaki  6 , Toshi A Furukawa  7 , Mariko Hasegawa-Hiraiwa  8 , Kiyoto Kasai  2 , Atsushi Nishida  1
Affiliations

Dissociation mediates the relationship between peer victimization and hallucinatory experiences among early adolescents

Syudo Yamasaki et al. Schizophr Res Cogn. .

Abstract

Peer victimization increases the risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms among clinical and general populations, but the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. Dissociation, which is related to peer victimization and hallucinatory experiences, has been demonstrated as a significant mediator in the relation between childhood victimization and hallucinatory experience among adult patients with psychosis. However, no studies have examined the mediating effect of dissociation in a general early adolescent population. We examined whether dissociation mediates the relationship between peer victimization and hallucinatory experiences among 10-year-old adolescents using a population-based cross-sectional survey of early adolescents and their main parent (Tokyo Early Adolescence Survey; N = 4478). We examined the mediating effect of dissociation, as well as external locus of control and depressive symptoms, on the relationship between peer victimization and hallucinatory experiences using path analysis. The model assuming mediation effects indicated good model fit (comparative fit index = .999; root mean square error of approximation = .015). The mediation effect between peer victimization and hallucination via dissociation (standardized indirect effect = .038, p < .001) was statistically significant, whereas the mediation effects of depressive symptoms (standardized indirect effect = -.0066, p = 0.318) and external locus of control (standardized indirect effect = .0024, p = 0.321) were not significant. These results suggest that dissociation is a mediator in the relation between peer victimization and hallucinatory experiences in early adolescence. For appropriate intervention strategies, assessing dissociation and peer victimization as they affect hallucinatory experiences is necessary.

Keywords: Bullying; Mediator; Psychotic-like experience; Trauma.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Path diagram describing the mediating effect of dissociation on the relationship between peer victimization and hallucinatory experiences. Note. Solid black line: path coefficient is statistically significant (p < .001); dotted line: path coefficient is not significant (p > .05).
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