Normal personality versus pathological personality: dimensional and predictive study.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Personality Psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Zuckerman personality model has previously shown relationships with personality pathology.
• Evaluating new personality instruments against established measures is crucial for psychometric advancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate the association between the Zuckerman personality model and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ).
• To assess the predictive contribution of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire (ZKA-PQ) and the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) to DAPP-BQ clusters.
• To compare the psychometric properties of the ZKA-PQ versus the ZKPQ.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 443 general population subjects (both sexes) was analyzed.
• The Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire (ZKA-PQ) and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ) were administered.
• Regression analyses and Local Regression Graphical Analysis (LOESS) were employed to examine relationships.

Main Results:

• ZKA-PQ dimensions predicted 35-61% of DAPP-BQ cluster variance; facets predicted 54-63%.
• Neuroticism and aggressiveness strongly correlated with emotional dysregulation.
• Sensation seeking and aggressiveness linked to dissocial behavior; neuroticism and negative extraversion to social avoidance; negative sensation seeking to compulsiveness.

Conclusions:

• The ZKA-PQ demonstrates improved psychometric properties compared to the ZKPQ.
• Both dimensional personality measures hold potential for predicting the proposed DSM-V personality disorder dimensional system.
• Specific personality dimensions show significant associations with distinct personality pathology clusters.