Traumatic Experience and Somatoform Dissociation Among Spirit Possession Practitioners in the Dominican Republic.

Vodou practitioners in the Dominican Republic who experience spirit possession report greater somatoform dissociation, more sleep problems, and more past exposure to mortal danger (assaults, accidents, or diseases) than those who do not experience possession. The two groups did not differ significantly in other types of trauma. Somatoform dissociation was the strongest predictor of group membership, though these symptoms may partly reflect the possession experience itself. A factor analysis yielded three factors: early responsibility and professional spiritual role; traumatic events and pain; and distress/dissociation. Overall, possessed individuals did not have a remarkably more severe trauma history and appeared to derive economic benefits from possession practice.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Recent studies in African contexts have revealed a strong association between spirit possession and severe trauma, with inclusion into a possession cult serving at times a therapeutic function. Research on spirit possession in the Dominican Republic has so far not included quantitative studies of trauma and dissociation. This study evaluated demographic variables, somatoform dissociative symptoms, and potentially traumatizing events in the Dominican Republic with a group of Vodou practitioners that either do or do not experience spirit possession. Inter-group comparisons revealed that in contrast to non-possessed participants (n = 38), those experiencing spirit possession (n = 47) reported greater somatoform dissociation, more problems with sleep, and previous exposure to mortal danger such as assaults, accidents, or diseases. The two groups did not differ significantly in other types of trauma. The best predictor variable for group classification was somatoform dissociation, although those items could also reflect the experience of followers during a possession episode. A factor analysis across variables resulted in three factors: having to take responsibility early on in life and taking on a professional spiritual role; traumatic events and pain; and distress/dissociation. In comparison with the non-possessed individuals, the possessed ones did not seem to overall have a remarkably more severe story of trauma and seemed to derive economic gains from possession practice.