People who report anomalous information reception have higher dissociation symptom scores

Abstract

Background: Dissociative states exist on a continuum from nonpathological expressions, such as highway hypnosis and day-dreaming, to pathological states of derealization and depersonalization. Claims of communication with deceased individuals or mediumship have been dismissed as dissociative symptoms in the past, although current definitions of dissociative pathologies have been qualified to include distress from the disorder and functional disability. This study examined the relationship between dissociative symptoms and mediumship or anomalous information reception (AIR) in a large convenience sample. Methods: Secondary analyses of cross-sectional survey data were conducted. The survey included demographics, the Dissociation Experience Scale Taxon (DES-T), and AIR data. Summary statistics and linear and logistic regressions evaluated the relationship between dissociative symptoms and AIR endorsement with and without covariates. Results: 3,023 participants were included and were mostly middle-aged (51 years ± 16; range 17-96), female (70%), Caucasian (85%), college educated (88%), had an annual income over $50,000 (55%), were raised Christian (71%) and now affiliated as Spiritual but not Religious (60%). AIR ability was endorsed by 42% of participants. AIR experiences usually began in childhood (81%). Also, 53% had family members with similar AIR experiences. The mean DES-T score was 14.4 ± 17.3 (range 0-100) for all participants and was significantly higher for AIR claimants (18.2 ± 19.3) non-claimants (11.8 ± 15.2; t = -10.3, p<0.0005). In total, 11% of non-claimants and 22% of claimants had a cut-off score greater than 30 (X 2 = 63.0, p=<0.0005). Conclusions: Mean DES-T scores for all participants were lower than a clinical cutoff for pathological dissociation. Future studies comparing AIR claimants and non-claimants may benefit from using a more comprehensive measure of dissociative symptoms. In addition, evaluating the participant’s functional impairment would help discern the pathological versus non-pathological nature of purported AIR experiences.