Assessing the Validity of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 as a Measure of HiTOP Spectra: Identifying...

This is a cross-sectional study investigating the validity of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2) as a tool for assessing HiTOP spectra. In Study 1, a nonclinical sample of 1659 Brazilian participants (65.4% females, with ages ranging from 18 to 70 years) was utilized to evaluate the internal structure of the IDCP-2 and its alignment with the HiTOP framework, according to four experts' independent ratings. Given the disparities in expert ratings regarding the conscientiousness scales of IDCP-2, we conducted exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) to identify the optimal placement for the anankastia factor within our model. Study 2 involved 641 nonclinical participants (87.17% females, with ages ranging from 18 to 82 years) and examined the external validity of the IDCP-2 factors that are shown to be representative of the HiTOP spectra by correlating its scales with the PID5BF + M domains. The findings indicate the IDCP-2's robust internal consistency and factorial validity as a tool for assessing the HiTOP spectra and confirming its external validity based on the significant moderate to high correlations with the PID5BF + M domain. Additionally, our results suggest anankastia to be a separate sixth factor within the HiTOP framework. These results underscore the IDCP-2's value in capturing a wide range of pathological traits, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of personality and psychopathology. Future research should focus on further validating the IDCP-2 in clinically diverse populations, to enhance its clinical applicability according to global healthcare developments, and to support the broader implementation of the HiTOP model globally.