Tschoeke S, Steinert T, Bichescu-Burian D. Causal connection between dissociation and ongoing interpersonal violence: A systematic review.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019;
107:424-437. [PMID:
31562923 DOI:
10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.030]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To identify evidence for dissociation as a cause of ongoing interpersonal violence.
METHOD
A systematic review of the literature retrieved from ten databases.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies yielded from our search strategy have been included in the review; eleven of these were longitudinal and four were experimental. The evidence indicates that pathological dissociation may contribute towards enduring interpersonal violence. Thus, dissociation may account for instances of repeated victimisation. There are similar indications concerning offenders, but study designs in this area allow one to draw fewer causal conclusions. There is some evidence that dissociation decreases information processing from the limbic system, which may be one underlying neurofunctional mechanism of persistent violence.
CONCLUSION
There is growing evidence for dissociation as a cause of interpersonal violence. However, the available evidence is still limited, and our review rather reveals an important research gap. Future longitudinal and experimental studies aimed at clarifying the role of dissociation in the context of violence should take into account the theoretical and empirical complexity around the concept of dissociation.
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