The Stability and Validity of the Sociotropy and Autonomy Personality Dimensions as Measured by the Revised Personal Style Inventory

Abstract

A. T. Beck (1983) has proposed the existence of two personality dimensions, sociotropy and autonomy, as specific and influential factors in the onset, course, and treatment of major depression. In this study, the stability and discriminant validity of the Revised Personal Style Inventory (PSI-II), a measure designed to assess the sociotropy and autonomy dimensions, was examined with a sample of outpatients diagnosed with major depression receiving pharmacotherapy. Sociotropy and autonomy were found to be relatively stable across time, despite significant reductions in depression severity. The two personality dimensions also produced a distinct and thematically consistent pattern of correlations with the dimensions and facets of the five-factor model of personality. These results suggest that the sociotropy and autonomy dimensions, as measured by the PSI-II, are reliable and valid measures of these personality constructs.