“Here’s Dissociative Identity Disorder, and we’re not that”: a constructivist grounded theory exploration of multiplicity experiences

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background People who identify as “multiple” are people who share a singular body with other individual selves. Whilst there are similarities to clinically defined criteria of dissociative and psychosis diagnoses, people with multiplicity lack an impairment in functioning due to being a multiple self, and often lack amnesia. Methods Six areas of focus (identified via an online consultation with members of the multiplicity community) were explored with 34 individuals: experts-by-experience (10 semi-structured interviews, 15 surveys), support networks (two interviews, four surveys), and professionals (one interview, two surveys). Constructivist grounded theory was used to examine the qualitative data collected. Results An emerging model was constructed to conceptualise the experience of being multiple. “(Mis)understanding”, “Media”, “Language”, and “Recognition and Regulation” were identified as core, reciprocally influential processes. Discussion The findings support the notion that the experience of being multiple is experientially distinct from a clinical understanding of dissociative and psychosis experiences. Positive processes can allow experts-by-experience to live well as a multiple self. Tailored support, understanding, and language is required to allow for validation of experiences and specific support to be accessed, both formally and via peer networks. Further research is necessary to elaborate our ever-growing understanding of this under-researched area.