The assessment of the dissociation of intimacy: development and psychometric properties of the dissociation of intimacy questionnaire (diq)

• Vincenzo Caretti ^[1] ; Eleonora Topino ^[2] ; Andrea Fontana ^[1] ; Adriano Schimmenti ^[3] ; Alessio Gori ^[4]
  1. [1] Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta

     Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta

     Roma Capitale, Italia

     
  2. [2] Mercatorum University

     Mercatorum University

     Roma Capitale, Italia

     
  3. [3] Università degli Studi di Enna Kore

     Università degli Studi di Enna Kore

     Enna, Italia

     
  4. [4] University of Florence

     University of Florence

     Firenze, Italia

     

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• Localización: EJIHPE: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, ISSN 2174-8144, ISSN-e 2254-9625, Vol. 15, Nº. 12, 2025, págs. 249-249
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe15120249
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Intimacy is a core domain of personality functioning, but it can be compromised by defensive and dissociative processes. Given this, the present study aimed to develop and validate the Dissociation of Intimacy Questionnaire (DIQ), a multidimensional self-report instrument assessing dissociative disruptions of intimacy. The DIQ consists of two parallel forms (“Me with Others” and “Others with Me”) developed to capture five distinct dimensions of the dissociation of intimacy: emotional, psychological, physical, social, and sexual. The sample comprised 500 participants (74% females; Mage = 31.92 years, SD = 12.78) recruited through online snowball sampling. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, alongside reliability and validity testing. Both exploratory and confirmatory analyses supported the five-factor structure of the DIQ, with satisfactory model fit indices. Internal consistency was good across all subscales. Convergent validity was demonstrated through significant positive correlations with insecure attachment, alexithymia, somatoform dissociation, and impairments in personality functioning. The DIQ is a robust and clinically relevant tool for assessing dissociation of intimacy. Its multidimensional and mirror structure allows for a detailed understanding of impairments in attitudes to closeness and provides a valuable framework for both research and psychotherapy.

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