Personality and psychopathology

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Personality and psychopathology were historically viewed as separate fields.
• Recent research increasingly recognizes significant overlap and interconnectedness between personality traits and mental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical divisions between personality and psychopathology.
• To explore models detailing the inter-relations between personality and psychopathology.
• To provide examples of personality-psychopathology links in clinical and community settings.

Main Methods:

• Literature review summarizing conceptualizations of personality, temperament, and personality disorders.
• Analysis of studies on the relationship between personality traits and common mental illnesses (internalizing/externalizing problems).
• Discussion of causal pathways and methods to distinguish personality trait influence on Axis I disorders, using schizophrenia as a case example.

Main Results:

• Personality, temperament, and personality disorders are increasingly viewed as overlapping constructs.
• Specific personality traits are associated with various mental illnesses and symptoms.
• Evidence suggests causal relationships between personality traits and Axis I conditions, with methods to differentiate these links.

Conclusions:

• The historical separation of personality and psychopathology is increasingly untenable.
• Understanding personality traits is crucial for comprehending the etiology and presentation of mental disorders.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between personality and psychopathology, particularly in conditions like schizophrenia.