Dispositional Traits, Characteristic Adaptations, and Narrative Identity Reconstructions in Individuals With Depersonalization and Derealization

• Published in: Journal of personality
• Main Authors: Fino, Emanuele, Jemmett-Skinner, Thalia, Evans-Miller, Richard, Perkins, Joe, Malik, Mohammed, Robinson, Martin, Webb, Gwendalyn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 17-10-2024
• Subjects: derealization; personality; identity; depersonalization; individual differences
• ISSN: 0022-3506; 1467-6494; 1467-6494
• DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12976

Depersonalization and derealization disorder (DPDR) is a debilitating condition. To date, little was known about the role of personality structure and of perceived social support and loneliness in DPDR.
Three studies investigated, respectively: (i) broadband personality traits (five-factor model), maladaptive trait domains (PID-5), and perceived support and loneliness in individuals with self-reported DPDR (N = 160) versus a general population sample (N = 303), using network modeling; (ii) structure and interconnectivity of personality, perceived support and loneliness, and DPDR traits (frequency/duration) in individuals with self-reported DPDR (N = 160); (iii) characteristic adaptations and narrative identities in individuals with self-reported DPDR (N = 19), using thematic analysis.
Study 1 found between-samples differences across several traits, especially psychoticism and negative affect. Differences in networks' global centrality, but not structures or edges, were also found. The graphical model in Study 2 showed a community of dissociative tendencies including DPDR traits and psychoticism. Study 3 highlighted the development of DPDR as a key life transition for those experiencing it, with narratives focusing on feelings of poor agency, isolation, and a disrupted sense of self.
Individual differences in personality characterize DPDR, especially in psychoticism. Implications for theory and research are discussed.