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Dysfunctional beliefs discriminate personality disorders
A T Beck1, A C Butler, G K Brown
1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, The Science Center, Philadelphia 19104-2648, USA. becka@landru.cpr.upenn.edu
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|October 3, 2001
Summary
Cognitive theory predicts specific dysfunctional beliefs link to personality disorders (PDs). Patients with avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, narcissistic, and paranoid PDs confirmed this by endorsing disorder-specific beliefs on the Personality Belief Questionnaire (PBQ).
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive theory posits that dysfunctional beliefs underpin personality disorders (PDs).
- Previous research has explored the link between beliefs and PDs, but specific associations require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if distinct sets of dysfunctional beliefs are differentially associated with five specific personality disorders.
- To test predictions derived from cognitive theory regarding the relationship between beliefs and PDs.
Main Methods:
- Seven hundred fifty-six psychiatric outpatients completed the Personality Belief Questionnaire (PBQ).
- Patients were assessed for personality disorders using a standardized clinical interview by blinded assessors.
- Statistical analyses were used to determine associations between PBQ beliefs and diagnosed PDs.
Main Results:
- Patients with avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, narcissistic, and paranoid PDs showed preferential endorsement of PBQ beliefs theoretically linked to their respective disorders.
- The findings provide empirical support for the cognitive theory of personality disorders.
Conclusions:
- The study validates the cognitive model for understanding personality disorders.
- The Personality Belief Questionnaire (PBQ) demonstrates clinical utility for assessing personality-disordered patients.
- Future research should further explore the PBQ's applications and refine cognitive-behavioral interventions for PDs.