Pathological personality traits can capture DSM-IV personality disorder types

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychopathology

Background:

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) introduced an alternative, trait-based diagnostic approach for personality disorders (PDs) in Section III.
• This alternative approach aims to foster further research into PD assessment.
• Concerns exist that the DSM-5's trait-based PD constructs may differ significantly from those in previous DSM versions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically investigate whether the DSM-5's alternative trait-based PD assessment yields constructs comparable to the traditional DSM-IV diagnostic system.
• To examine the correlations between interview-based PD scores derived from DSM-IV and DSM-5 trait counts.
• To test these correlations in relation to the Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality facets and internalizing/externalizing symptoms.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 109 adults undergoing mental health treatment.
• Interview-based personality disorder scores were derived using both DSM-IV criteria and DSM-5 alternative trait counts.
• Correlations were analyzed between these two diagnostic approaches, FFM facets, and symptom measures.

Main Results:

• A significant correlation (Mr = .63) was found between DSM-IV PD scores and DSM-5 PD trait counts.
• Both diagnostic approaches demonstrated similar patterns in the interrelations among PDs.
• Highly similar correlational patterns were observed between the PD constructs and general personality traits, as well as psychopathology symptoms.

Conclusions:

• The DSM-5's alternative trait-based approach for diagnosing personality disorders captures constructs similar to the traditional DSM-IV system.
• These findings suggest continuity between the DSM-IV and the DSM-5 alternative PD assessment methods.
• The DSM-5 trait counts provide a valid measure consistent with established diagnostic frameworks.