Abstract
The aim of this paper is to explore a new framework for personality assessment that may function as sanity nosology of personality traits: the Positive Personality Model (PPM). The recent publication of DSM-5 created the opportunity to assess personality traits as dimensional constructs (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In Section III, five maladaptive personality traits are proposed as the maladaptive versions of Five Factor Model (FFM) traits (Costa and McCrae, 1985). This approach draws on the existing idea of conceptualizing pathological and typical personality traits as part of a continuum. It places DSM-5′s maladaptive traits in a sickness pole and FFM’s traits in a “typical” pole. This spectrum, however, does not include a positive perspective that represents healthy behavior: a sanity nosology. The Positive Traits Inventory-5 (PTI-5; de la Iglesia and Castro Solano, 2018) is a measure designed to assess the positive reverse of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Adult (PID-5; Krueger et al., 2013). The 220 positive personality criteria were studied psychometrically using a sample of 1902 Argentinean adults from the general population (Mage = 39.10, SD = 13.81, Min = 18, and Max = 83; 50.1% females, 49.9% males). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses resulted in a five-factor solution. The dimensions were labeled Sprightliness, Integrity, Serenity, Moderation, and Humanity and subsumed under the denomination of PPM. Analyses of convergent validity provided some grounds for interpreting the five positive traits as positive versions of the pathological traits and the typical traits. When tested for its predictive capability on mental health, the PPM outperformed the variance explained by the FFM. It is concluded that the PPM may constitute a positive pole in the continuum of personality traits –possibly functioning as a sanity nosology– and that it is somewhat more related to optimal functioning than typical trait models. The PPM should be confirmed in other populations, its predictive capability ought to be tested with other relevant variables, and longitudinal studies should be done to analyze the stability of the traits over time.
Highlights
During most of the 20th century, psychology has made significant progress in diagnosing and treating psychological disorders
The aim of this paper is to explore a new framework for personality assessment that may function as sanity nosology of personality traits: the Positive Personality Model (PPM)
Some examples of items for each factor are: Sprightliness (“I enjoy life” and “When I have a goal I focus on accomplishing it”), Integrity (“I am sincere about my intentions when I ask for help” and “I have flaws, like everyone else”), Serenity (“If something bothers me, I try to solve it politely” and “If I disagree with someone, I prefer talking calmly”), Moderation (“I avoid unnecessary risks” and “I think about the consequences my actions may have”), and Humanity (“I often get involved in charitable causes” and “I help those who are suffering”)
Summary
During most of the 20th century, psychology has made significant progress in diagnosing and treating psychological disorders. When trying to describe and diagnose healthy behavior, the approach is not so clear. Some models have been proposed, such as Peterson and Seligman’s (2004) classification of character strengths and virtues known as the Values in Action (VIA) model, scientists have not yet agreed upon a commonly used manual that comprises healthy symptoms. There is not yet a clear and agreed idea of how healthy people should be like or behave. There is not yet a sanity nosology that comprises the elements for assessing the presence of mental health (Wakefield, 1992; Sadler and Fulford, 2006; Leising, 2008; Leising et al, 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
