Altered states of consciousness among inpatients in a Trauma Program

In a sample of 100 inpatients in a hospital Trauma Program, trauma and dissociation were strongly linked to pathological altered states of consciousness but not to adaptive, normal spiritual experiences. The inpatients had very high average scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale (42.3) and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (6.6). The findings suggest that altered states of consciousness should be divided into two categories: those that are inherently pathological and those that are adaptive and spiritual.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A set of measures of trauma, dissociation, altered states of consciousness, and spiritual experiences was administered to a convenience sample of 100 inpatients in a hospital Trauma Program. The inpatients had an average Dissociative Experiences Scale score of 42.3 and an average Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale score of 6.6, both of which are very high. Both trauma and dissociation correlated significantly with measures of pathological altered states of consciousness (ASC) but not with adaptive, normal spiritual experiences as measured by the Spiritual Orientation Inventory and the ASC Scale. The authors conclude that future study of the relationships between psychological trauma, dissociation, and ASC should subdivide altered states into at least two major categories: more inherently pathological states versus those that are more adaptive and spiritual in nature.