The causal relation between dissociation and trauma. A critical overview

This article discusses the accepted view that trauma causes dissociation. We critically evaluate studies that explored this relationship and discuss their shortcomings. In addition, individual differences related to dissociative experiences are discussed. In doing so, we focus on their potential to create pseudocorrelations between dissociative symptoms and self-reports of childhood trauma. After concluding that the causal link between trauma and dissociation is far from self-evident or empirically substantiated, we suggest some avenues for further research.