Mapping the Personality Psychopathology Five Domains Onto DSM–IV Personality Disorders in Dutch Clinical and Forensic Samples: Implications for DSM–5

Abstract

The Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY–5) model represents 5 broadband dimensional personality domains that align with the originally proposed DSM–5 personality trait system, which was eventually placed in Section III for further study. The main objective of this study was to examine the associations between the PSY–5 model and personality disorder criteria. More specifically, we aimed to determine if the PSY–5 domain scales converged with the alternative DSM–5 Section III model for personality disorders, with a particular emphasis on the personality trait profiles proposed for each of the specific personality disorder types. Two samples from The Netherlands consisting of clinical patients from a personality disorder treatment program (n = 190) and forensic psychiatric hospital (n = 162) were used. All patients had been administered the MMPI–2 (from which MMPI–2–RF PSY–5 scales were scored) and structured clinical interviews to assess personality disorder criteria. Results based on Poisson or negative binomial regression models showed statistically significant and meaningful associations for the hypothesized PSY–5 domains for each of the 6 personality disorders, with a few minor exceptions that are discussed in detail. Implications for these findings are also discussed.

Acknowledgments

Martin Sellbom is now at The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Notes

These criteria, which include unscorable, inconsistent, or exaggerated responding, were Cannot Say raw score >18, True Response Inconsistency (TRIN-r) or Variable Response Inconsistency (VRIN-r) T score > 80, Infrequent Responses (F-r) T score >120, or Infrequent Psychopathology Responses (Fp-r) T score >100. The current rate of exclusion is similar to those reported in other clinical settings (see, e.g., Arbisi, Sellbom, & Ben-Porath, 2008).