Validation of MMPI-2-RF Personality Disorder Spectra scales in a psychiatric sample

The diagnostic operationalization of personality disorders is at the crossroads. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5), includes 2 separate systems for the diagnosis of personality disorders (PDs)-1 that is purely categorical (Section II) and 1 that is primarily dimensional (Section III). The International Classification of Diseases (11th ed.) will use a dimensional approach for the diagnosis of PDs. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) PD Spectra scales were developed as measures of both the traditional and the alternative and scientifically supported systems. The current study examined the criterion and construct validity of these scales in a sample of 343 psychiatric patients. Patients completed the MMPI-2-RF, a measure of traditional personality disorders, a measure of the DSM-5 alternative model of personality disorder traits, and a measure of the 5-factor model of personality. Overall, with the exception of the Narcissistic and the Obsessive-Compulsive PD Spectra scales, the criterion and construct validity findings were quite supportive of these scales. Implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).