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Personality disorder assessment: the challenge of construct validity
L A Clark1, W J Livesley, L Morey
1Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1407, USA. la-clark@uiowa.edu
Journal of Personality Disorders
|December 31, 1997
Summary
Current personality disorder classification needs significant conceptual reform, not just assessment improvements. More complex models integrating biological and environmental factors are essential for understanding adaptive and maladaptive personality development.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Personality Science
Background:
- Current categorical systems for personality disorder classification face challenges.
- Issues of convergent and discriminant validity in assessment are central.
- Data suggest conceptualization requires more change than instrumentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review data challenging the current categorical system for personality disorder.
- To re-examine the categorical-dimensional debate in assessment terms.
- To contextualize this debate within broader personality assessment issues.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on personality disorder classification and assessment.
- Analysis of assessment issues including validity.
- Discussion of hierarchical personality structure, normal vs. abnormal personality, and trait vs. state assessment.
Main Results:
- Assessment of personality disorder has room for improvement.
- Greater changes are needed in the conceptualization of personality disorder than in assessment tools.
- Existing data highlight the need for more nuanced models.
Conclusions:
- More complex conceptual models are needed for personality disorder.
- These models should integrate biological and environmental influences.
- Understanding adaptive and maladaptive personality development requires a broader framework.