An Empirical Investigation Into Disorder-Specific Identity Impairment Across Personality Pathology

Identity impairment is central to personality pathology generally, but less is known about how identity impairment appears differently across personality pathology. The AMPD lists a criterion for disorder-specific identity impairment for each personality disorder (PD), but these criteria have not been adequately empirically examined. N = 305 university students completed self-report measures of personality pathology (traditional DSM-5 and AMPD conceptualizations) and identity impairment (identity diffusion). We explored which identity diffusion items associated most strongly with each PD scale. Results were mixed. Predictions were partially supported in that at least one expected identity diffusion item emerged as most strongly associated with antisocial, avoidant, and borderline PDs. For narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive, and schizotypal PDs, predictions were not supported. Results were somewhat consistent between DSM Section II and AMPD scales for most PDs, except avoidant and obsessive-compulsive PD. We emphasize the need for further empirical study on disorder-specific identity impairment across personality pathology.