Covariance in the measurement of depression/anxiety and three Cluster C personality disorders (avoidant, dependent,...

One hundred and eight-four clients referred to a research outpatient psychological clinic, and meeting the acceptance criterion of 16 or more on the BDI at screening, were diagnosed as either-depressed and/or anxious using both Present State Examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental State Disorders criteria. Clients were assessed for the presence of Cluster C personality disorders using the Personality Disorder Examination of Loranger et al. (1985). Twenty-two per cent made diagnosis of avoidant, dependent or obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Significant correlation was found between screening/intake depression index scores and total scores on the three Cluster C personality disorders, although little correlation was found between diagnostic criteria for affective and personality disorders. Some association was shown between the clinical components of personality disorder traits in the anxious-fearful group and current anxiety symptoms, although not as clearly as expected.