Find in Library

Context: There is a long history of interpersonal trauma in women, and the risk factors and mental health consequences have been well studied. Betrayal trauma (BT) theory by Freyd talks about the specific kind of trauma perpetrated by someone close to the victim, which may lead to increased dissociative responses. Recent research extends the theory to explain the role of posttrauma appraisals playing a mediating role in the development of psychopathological responses. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore trauma history, BT, and dissociative experiences among women in a Government Reception Centre. Setting: The sample included 30 women from the Reception Centre, Bangalore. Subjects and Methods: Data were obtained using a Sociodemographic Data Sheet, Brief BT Survey (revised), the Dissociative Experiences Scale, Posttrauma Cognitions Inventory and a visual analog scale for assessing psychological distress. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics and nonparametric inferential statistics were used for quantitative analysis. Results: All the women in the sample had experienced BT directly or as witnesses. There was no significant difference in dissociation between high- and low-BT groups. The presence of negative cognitions toward oneself was associated with increased dissociative experiences. Negative cognitions toward self and depersonalization experiences were higher in the group with severe physical trauma than the group without. Conclusion: The article highlights the high prevalence of betrayal trauma, and risk for trauma-related psychopathology and revictimization that go unassessed in government shelter homes, while reiterating the need for a trauma-informed care approach to intervention.