Dream intensity profile as an indicator of the hysterical tendencies to dissociation and conversion

Abstract

The present study explored the clinical utility of the Dream Intensity Scale (DIS) by evaluating the degree to which the components of dream intensity can serve as indicators of the tendencies to hysterical dissociation and conversion, taking neuroticism and psychological boundaries into consideration. The discriminant models constituted by the DIS scales alone differentiated participants who manifested clinically significant dissociative or conversion symptoms from the remaining sample, with the accuracy rate ranging between 67.2% and 71.5%. The discriminative power of the DIS was so impressive that the inclusion in the models of neuroticism, psychological boundaries, and dissociative or conversion levels—the key factors associated with hysteria—raised the correct classification rate by less than 9%. The relationships between neuroticism, boundary thinness, dissociative features, epileptic-like symptoms, and subjective dream intensity were discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)