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DSM-III personality disorder clusters in three populations
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
Summary
This study demonstrates that Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) personality disorder clusters can differentiate psychiatric patient groups. Researchers adjusted for demographics, confirming distinct prevalence rates and the link between personality disorders and substance abuse.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) personality disorder clusters lack prior validation for differentiating populations.
- Demographic variations across populations present a challenge in comparative psychiatric research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of DSM-III personality disorder clusters in distinguishing between distinct outpatient psychiatric referral groups.
- To investigate the prevalence of personality disorder clusters across different clinical populations after accounting for demographic factors.
Main Methods:
- Logistic regression analysis was employed to control for demographic variables including age, race, sex, and education.
- Subjects were recruited from three distinct outpatient psychiatric referral groups: chronic pain, disability applicants, and competency to stand trial evaluations.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in the adjusted prevalence of DSM-III personality disorder clusters were observed among the three study groups.
- The established association between personality disorders and a history of drug or alcohol abuse was reconfirmed in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- DSM-III personality disorder clusters serve as a valid tool for differentiating between various psychiatric patient populations.
- Findings underscore the importance of considering personality disorders in the context of substance abuse and psychiatric referrals.