Factor analysis of the Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms

The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS; Vincent, 1985) is a self-rating instrument that yields 14 clinical scale scores and a validity scale score. The scale scores present diagnostic classification information derived from major DSM-III diagnostic categories. This study replicates and extends a previous factor study by Vincent and Duthie (1986). DIPS data were collected from 170 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients. Both a principal components analysis and an oblique, cluster-oriented, marker variable factor analysis of the 14 clinical scale scores resulted in four factors, the first three of which reproduced the pattern of factor loadings found by Vincent and Duthie (1986). The results support the existing distinction between DSM-III Axis I psychotic and neurotic disorders, and Axis II characterological disorders.