A psychologist sees a young woman who at times takes on alternate personalities that are not aware of each other. Her disorder is most often associated with which of the following?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Traumatic experiences in her childhood
Option (1) Traumatic experiences in her childhood — Correct. Alternate personalities mark dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality). It is often associated with traumatic experiences in childhood, generally a history of abuse.
Option (2) Overwhelming stress faced in adult life — Incorrect. Overwhelming stress is linked with dissociative fugue, where the person travels away and takes on a new identity. Multiple personality is tied to trauma in childhood.
Option (3) Genetic make-up inherited from her parents — Incorrect. Genetic make-up, or heredity, is an important risk factor for major depression and other depressive disorders.
Option (4) Lack of social support in adult life — Incorrect. Lack of social support is a risk factor for depression, along with negative life events.
NCERT (2026-27): “Dissociative Disorders … “Depression : Genetic make-up, or heredity is an important risk factor for major depression and other depressive disorders. Age is also a risk factor. For instance, women are particularly at risk during young adulthood, while for men the risk is highest in early middle age. Similarly gender also plays a great role in this differential risk addition. For example, women in comparison to men are more likely to report a depressive disorder. Other risk factors are experiencing negative life events and lack of social support.” |