Dissociative Symptom Clustering in Adult Survivors of Prolonged Childhood Emotional Neglect: An Empirical Analysis of Structural Dissociation Profiles and Affect Dysregulation Trajectories

Abstract

Background: Structural dissociation theory posits that prolonged developmental trauma disrupts the integration of personality into distinct emotional parts, yet empirical mapping of dissociative symptom clusters in adult survivors of childhood emotional neglect (CEN) remains limited. Methods: This study examined 214 adults (Mage = 34.7; SD = 9.2) meeting CEN criteria via the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, administering the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder scale. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify dissociative subtypes. Results: Three discrete dissociative profiles emerged—somatoform-dominant, derealization-predominant, and affective numbing—each exhibiting distinct affect dysregulation trajectories. Somatoform-dominant profiles demonstrated significantly elevated alexithymia scores (p < .001). Conclusions: Dissociative symptom heterogeneity in CEN survivors necessitates profile-informed treatment planning, with differential implications for trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral and EMDR interventions.