The Effects of Acute Dissociation on Implicit and Explicit Measures of Emotional Responsivity

Abstract

Recent research highlights the importance of exploring the relationship between acute dissociation and emotional responsivity; however, few studies have examined the difference between implicit and explicit emotional experiences. As such, this study investigated the effects of dissociation on both, implicit and explicit emotional responses, in college-aged individuals (N = 132). Using a combination of experimental inductions for dissociation and sadness, along with measures like the Implicit Measure of Distinct Emotional States (IMDES) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-X), the study examines the hypothesis that dissociation dampens explicit emotional responses while preserving implicit emotional processes. Findings revealed no significant differences in emotional responses (i.e., sadness, fear, anger, happiness) between individuals subjected to dissociation induction and those in the control group, suggesting that the acute induction of dissociation may not significantly impact emotional responsivity as measured in this study. Correlational analyses demonstrated significant associations between general dissociative experiences, levels of alexithymia, and trauma exposure. The study contributes to the nuanced understanding of dissociation's effects on emotional processing, suggesting the need for further research into the mechanisms underlying dissociative experiences and their interaction with emotional states. Implications for clinical practice and future research directions are discussed, highlighting the importance of considering both implicit and explicit emotional processes in understanding and treating dissociative phenomena.