Introduction
Dissociative experiences, including amnesia, depersonalization, and absorption, significantly affect patient well-being and clinical outcomes. Consequently, researchers developed specialized tools to measure these unique phenomena accurately. The Dissociative Experiences Scale – II (DES-II), a 28-item self-report measure, addresses this need directly. First developed by Carlson and Putnam in 1993, the DES-II has earned recognition for identifying individuals at risk of trauma-related dissociation. Moreover, with over 2500 citations in scientific literature, the DES-II demonstrates strong reliability and validity across diverse populations.
This article examines the DES-II’s core features, practical applications, and clinical value. Furthermore, it equips researchers and clinicians with actionable insights to enhance patient assessment and advance care in mental health and trauma settings.
Key Features of the Dissociative Experiences Scale – II (DES-II)
Purpose and Use
The primary purpose of the DES-II centers on screening for and measuring the frequency and severity of dissociative experiences. Clinicians and researchers therefore identify patients who require further evaluation. Ultimately, this leads to more targeted interventions and improved management of trauma-related conditions. The questionnaire provides crucial insights into how dissociative symptoms influence daily functioning and psychological health.
Target Population
The DES-II is validated for use with adults aged 18 and older, including:
- Young adults (18-24 years)
- Middle-aged adults (25-44 years)
- Older adults (45-64 years)
- Seniors (65+ years)
It specifically serves populations experiencing dissociative symptoms or trauma-related disorders.
Structure
The scale consists of 28 items that researchers typically group into three main subscales to allow for a nuanced understanding of a patient’s profile:
- Absorption (Immersive Dissociation): This domain measures the tendency to become fully lost in mental activities or imagination (Questions 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27).
- Depersonalization & Derealization: These items capture feelings of detachment from oneself or the external world (Questions 7, 11, 12, 13, 19, 24, 28).
- Amnesia (Dissociative Memory Loss): This subscale assesses significant memory gaps that exceed ordinary forgetting (Questions 1, 2, 4, 9, 23, 26).
Scoring Method
Each item on the DES-II uses a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) where respondents estimate the percentage of time they experience a symptom from 0% (“Never”) to 100% (“Always”). To calculate the total score, clinicians find the arithmetic mean by summing all 28 percentages and dividing by 28. Although scores are dimensional, specific cut-off scores guide interpretation:
- 15–20: Within the normal or non-clinical range.
- ≥ 20: Common screening cut-off suggesting clinically significant symptoms.
- ≥ 30: Strong clinical indicator highly associated with dissociative disorders.
- > 50: Typically indicates severe levels of dissociation.
Administration Format
The DES-II is a self-administered questionnaire that clinicians deliver via:
- Paper-based formats
- Digital (online) platforms
- Mobile apps
- In-person interviews
- Phone/Video calls.
It typically takes 10-15 minutes to complete, which makes it highly practical for busy clinical settings and large-scale research studies.
Applications of the Dissociative Experiences Scale – II (DES-II)
The DES-II serves broad applications in clinical and research domains:
- Screening: It effectively identifies individuals with clinically significant dissociation warranting further evaluation.
- Diagnosis: Clinicians use it to support diagnostic processes for dissociative disorders.
- Monitoring: Teams reliably track patient progress during interventions.
- Research: The DES-II functions as a key outcome measure in studies on trauma, PTSD, and dissociation prevalence.
Languages and availability
The DES-II has been translated and validated into multiple languages, including:
- Arabic
- English
- Mandarin Chinese
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Portuguese
- Japanese
- Hindi
- Italian
- Turkish
- Korean
This linguistic availability enhances its utility in multicultural settings and supports international collaborations.
Reliability and Validity
The DES-II is recognized as a highly reliable and valid instrument for assessing dissociation, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91 indicating excellent internal consistency.
Moreover, various studies support its psychometric properties, including:
Therefore, researchers can monitor treatment effects over time with confidence.
Limitations and Considerations
Despite its strengths, the DES-II has a few limitations:
- Self-report measure: Results may be influenced by a patient’s subjective interpretation.
- Social Desirability Bias: Responses can be influenced by a desire to present oneself in a favorable light.
- Cultural Bias: Potential exists for cultural factors to affect the interpretation of various dissociative experiences.
Other Versions And Related Questionnaires
While the original 28-item scale is the gold standard, other versions include:
- DES-B: A brief version
- DES-T: A taxon version for pathological dissociation
Additionally, clinicians often pair the DES-II with related tools like:
- Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS)
- Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20)
- Structured Clinical Interview for Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D)
Additional Resources
- The original validation study link
- You can access the questionnaire as a PDF through this link
- For inquiries, contact Eve Carlson eve.carlson@va.gov, the first author of the questionnaire
- For additional DES-II resources, consult the Journal of Traumatic Stress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who can use the DES-II?
Clinicians, researchers, and healthcare providers can use the DES-II for adult patients (aged 18 and older) who present with dissociative symptoms or trauma-related conditions. - How long does it take to complete the DES-II?
Patients typically take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the DES-II, which makes it feasible for use in clinical and research settings. - How is the DES-II administered?
Healthcare teams can administer the questionnaire via paper-based, digital (online), mobile app, interview (in-person), or phone/video call formats—offering flexibility in various healthcare environments. - Is there any cost to using the DES-II?
The DES-II is free for non-commercial research and clinical use.
A Word From ResRef about the Dissociative Experiences Scale – II (DES-II)
The Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II) is the gold-standard, self-report screening tool for measuring dissociative phenomena. It reliably assesses three core domains: amnesia, depersonalization/derealization, and imaginative absorption. Its scores show a strong association with trauma history, making it particularly valuable in clinical settings for identifying individuals with PTSD or dissociative disorders who may require further evaluation.
References
- Carlson, E. B., & Putnam, F. W. (1993). An update on the dissociative experiences scale. Dissociation: Progress in the Dissociative Disorders, 6(1), 16–27. Link
- Saggino, A., Molinengo, G., Rogier, G., Garofalo, C., Loera, B., Tommasi, M., & Velotti, P. (2020). Improving the psychometric properties of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II): A Rasch validation study. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 8. Link
- Körlin, D., Edman, G., & Nybäck, H. (2007). Reliability and validity of a Swedish version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II). Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 61(2), 126–142. Link
