Relating externalizing psychopathology to personality across different structural levels and timescales

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychopathology Research
• Personality Science

Background:

• Personality dysfunction is a potential driver of externalizing psychopathology.
• Understanding the daily interplay between personality dysfunction and externalizing behaviors is crucial.
• Limited research has explored how day-to-day personality changes influence externalizing psychopathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) and externalizing psychopathology.
• To examine how daily variations in personality dysfunction affect the expression of externalizing behaviors and urges.
• To explore these relationships across different timescales and structural levels.

Main Methods:

• Utilized baseline assessments (n=278) and a 14-day longitudinal diary study.
• Measured various AMPD variables and broad/narrow aspects of externalizing psychopathology.
• Employed statistical analyses to examine correlations and unique predictors.

Main Results:

• Most AMPD variables correlated with externalizing psychopathology at baseline and in daily life.
• Disinhibition and antagonism uniquely predicted psychopathology.
• Daily externalizing behaviors linked to negative affect and disinhibition; urges linked to personality functioning and negative affect.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the link between personality dysfunction and externalizing psychopathology across different levels of analysis.
• Daily fluctuations in personality traits and affect significantly influence the manifestation of externalizing behaviors.
• Results align with the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology model, highlighting the importance of timescale and structural levels.