Personality change and personality disorder: Some initial thoughts on the application of McAdams’ triarchic model to the treatment of personality disorder

Abstract

It is increasingly accepted that psychological therapies have an important role to play in the management and treatment of those who are considered to have disorders of personality, particularly those with forensic histories. Whilst there appears to be an emerging evidence base supporting the effectiveness of treatment for this group, there have been relatively few attempts to link treatment approaches to current models of normal personality. In this paper we use McAdams’ (1994) triarchic model of personality as a basis for understanding the effective treatment of personality disorders. We conclude that the model may be useful in assisting clinicians to engage patients in treatment, identify innovative methods of intervention, and conceptualise therapeutic progress.

Keywords:

• Personality
• personality disorder
• treatment

We would like to thank Linda Davey for helpful discussions in the preparation of this paper.