Development and validation of the Symptomatic Transdiagnostic Test (S2T).

INTRODUCTION: The categorical approach in psychiatry has received many criticisms. Modern research tends to develop a transdiagnostic approach. However, transdiagnostic works lack an overall understanding and focus mainly on anxiety and depression. The aim of the present study was to develop an easy to use tool to evaluate multiple dimensions opening the way for further research in the transdiagnostic approach. This will allow researchers to quickly assess the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions on multiple psychopathological dimensions. METHOD: First, we identified the main symptoms of psychopathology in a sample of mental healthcare workers. Second, we developed the Symptomatic Transdiagnostic Test (S2T) to assess the main symptoms of psychopathology. Third, we evaluated its psychometric properties (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency) in three non-clinical samples and one clinical sample. RESULTS: The 66-item S2T included eleven factors referring to: i) negative thoughts and mood; ii) psycho-traumatic and maladaptive symptoms; iii) addiction symptoms; iv) disturbed eating behavior; v) disturbed perception and behavior; vi) panic and agoraphobia; vii) emotional lability; viii) dejection; ix) neurodevelopmental manifestations; x) anxiety and xi) psychic hyperactivity. We found a high internal consistency for the general scale (α=0.96) and the subscales. We found a good concurrent validity. As expected, we found higher levels of symptoms within the clinical population as compared to the non-clinical samples, except for addiction symptoms and disrupted eating behavior. We found negative associations between the symptomatic dimensions and psychological skills. CONCLUSION: The S2T is a relevant tool for clinicians and researchers to assess the psychopathological profile. The main psychopathological symptoms are negatively related to the psychological skills.

Inhibition, Attentional Control and Binding Abilities in Relation to Dissociative Symptoms Among PTSD Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between dissociation and cognitive abilities remains controversial. Empirical studies have reported positive, negative and non-existent associations between dissociation and cognition. These inconsistent results may be due to the fact that the studies focused mainly on trait dissociation, while dissociation is not stable but transient. After validating the French version of the Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS), the aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between state dissociation and cognitive abilities. METHOD: We recruited 83 patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and assessed them twice. At T1, they performed a neutral Stroop task and a neutral binding task. At T2 (one to three weeks later), after a script-driven dissociative induction, they performed an emotional Stroop task and an emotional binding task. Between the two sessions, they completed questionnaires at home evaluating PTSD severity, trait dissociation and cognitive difficulties. State dissociation was assessed at T1 and T2 using the Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS). RESULTS: We found good psychometric properties of the French version of the CADSS. After inducing dissociation, significantly lower attentional performance was found among patients with than without dissociative reactions. We found a significant positive correlation between state dissociation and increased attention and memory difficulties after induction. CONCLUSION: The French version of the CADSS is a reliable and valid tool to assess state dissociation, which is correlated with attentional difficulties. Attentional training is recommended to help patients control dissociative symptoms.