Dissociation Beliefs Scale (DBS)

Abstract

The Dissociation Beliefs Scale (DBS; Vancappel et al., 2023) is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure beliefs about dissociation. It comprises 16 items derived from previous qualitative research (Vancappel et al., 2022b), specifically statements from patients’ verbatim reports on their beliefs about dissociation. The initial version of the scale was developed by A.V. and subsequently reviewed by W.E.H. The final 16-item version, which evaluates both positive and negative beliefs about dissociation, was validated among a sample of French patients diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Factor analysis of the final version supported a three-factor structure, consisting of one general factor and two specific factors representing positive and negative beliefs. The scale’s reliability and validity have been reported.

Keywords

Positive Beliefs; Negative Beliefs; Dissociation Beliefs; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; PTSD

Authors

Vancappel, A.; Kerbage, H.; Réveillère, C.; El Hage, W.

---

Purpose

The DBS is intended to assess both positive and negative beliefs regarding dissociation within French-speaking populations.

Validity

Concurrent Validity: Significant associations were observed between dissociation and beliefs about emotion (r strength ranging from 0.26 to 0.75), between dissociation and beliefs about dissociation (r strength ranging from 0.25 to 0.29), and between difficulties in emotion regulation and negative beliefs about dissociation (r strength ranging from 0.24 to 0.45). Additionally, a positive association was found between various beliefs about emotion and scores for depression, anxiety, and PTSD (r strength ranging from 0.07 to 0.28). An association was also noted between beliefs about emotion and difficulties in emotion regulation (r strength ranging from 0.22 to 0.27).

Reliability

Internal Consistency: The internal consistency for the Positive beliefs factor was α = ω = 0.84, and for the Negative beliefs factor, it was α = ω = 0.80.

Factor Analysis

Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis: The final Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed a two-factor model, distinguishing positive and negative beliefs about dissociation, and retaining only the 8 items with the highest factor loading. The eigenvalues for this model were: Factor 1 = 4.32 (explaining 27% of the variance) and Factor 2 = 3.4 (explaining 21.24% of the variance).

However, results from the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated an insufficient fit for the two-factor model, which comprised a negative and a positive dimension (χ²=452; d.f.=104; p<.01; TFI=.83; CFI=.85; RMSEA= .08). Consequently, a three-factor structure (consisting of one general factor and two specific factors) was subsequently tested. This three-factor model demonstrated a good fit (χ²=241; d.f.=87; p<.01; TFI=.91; CFI=.93; RMSEA=.06).

Instrument: Dissociation Beliefs Scale (DBS)

Test Type: Original
Format: Participants rate each item on a 5-point Likert Scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The administration method is paper-based.
Language Available: French
Population Group: Human; Male; Female
Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older), including Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs), Thirties (30-39 yrs), Middle Age (40-64 yrs), and Aged (65 yrs & older).
Population Details: The study was conducted in France, with respondents being patients diagnosed with PTSD.
Test Methodology: Test Validity, Concurrent Validity, Test Reliability, Internal Consistency, Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis.
Number of Items: This measure includes 16 items.
Factors and Subscales: The scale includes a general factor and two specific factors: Positive beliefs and Negative beliefs.

Keywords

Positive Beliefs; Negative Beliefs; Dissociation Beliefs; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; PTSD

Authors

• Vancappel, A.

  • Author ORCID Identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3206-2009

  • Affiliation: CHRU de Tours, Pôle de Psychiatrie-Addictologie

  • Email Address: [email protected]

  • Correspondence Address: [email protected]

• Kerbage, H.

  • Affiliation: Saint Eloi University Hospital Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

• Réveillère, C.

  • Affiliation: Université de Tours Département de Psychologie, EE 1901 Qualipsy, Qualité de vie et santé psychologique

• El Hage, W.

  • Affiliation: CHRU de Tours, Pôle de Psychiatrie-Addictologie

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Contact Corresponding Author
Commercial: No
Fee: No
Test Year: 2023

References

Vancappel, A., Kerbage, H., Réveillère, C., & El Hage, W. (2023). Validation of the French version of the Emotion and Regulation Beliefs Scale (ERBS) and Dissociation Belief Scale (DBS). Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 51(4), 335–348. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1352465823000097

Items of the Dissociation Beliefs Scale (DBS)

No data is Available