The Relationship between Training of Mental Health Professionals and the Reporting of Ritual Abuse and Multiple Personality Disorder Symptomatology

Abstract

With only a scant amount of empirical research available, there is little information to guide the clinician in assessing clients who present with a history of MPD or childhood ritual abuse. The authors surveyed 433 mental health professionals in San Diego County, California employing a 50-item questionnaire. Concerns of the investigators included whether (a) large numbers of ritual child abuse allegations are generated by a small number of therapists; (b) reporting of allegations is related to therapist discipline and level of training or licensure; (c) attendance at a MPD or ritual abuse workshop is related to MPD/ritual abuse reporting frequency; and (d) frequency of reporting MPD or ritual abuse reporting is related to workshop attendance or type of license. Results showed no differences across disciplines/licences in frequency of report of MPD diagnosis, ritual abuse patients seen, or the presence of symptom clusters which may be associated with diagnosis of either ritual abuse or MPD. However, the data suggest that a cluster of symptoms considered representative of several linked syndromes may become more tightly tied to a single diagnosis through the mechanism of workshop training.