Dissociative Experiences Scale – II (DES-II)
A 28-item self-report instrument designed to measure a wide variety of dissociative experiences.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Dissociative Experiences Scale – II (DES-II) was developed by Carlson, E.B. & Putnam, F.W. (1993). It is designed to measure Dissociation. The scale is intended for use with Adults and adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 28 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Amnesia Factor, Depersonalization/Derealization Factor, Absorption Factor.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Amnesia Factor | 3,4,5,8,25,26 | 6 |
| Depersonalization/Derealization Factor | 7,11,12,13,27,28 | 6 |
| Absorption Factor | 2,14,15,17,18,20 | 6 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = 0% (Never), 10 = 10%, 20 = 20%, 30 = 30%, 40 = 40%, 50 = 50%, 60 = 60%, 70 = 70%, 80 = 80%, 90 = 90%, 100 = 100% (Always).
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 100. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low to Moderate Dissociation: 0 – 29
- High Dissociation (suggestive of PTSD, dissociative disorders, or borderline personality disorder): 30 – 100
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.