Dimensional Assessment Of Personality Research Articles

Investigation of the role of personality traits and emotion regulation on personality functioning in patients with depression/anxiety disorder.

The relationship between the dimensional assessment of personality and difficulties in emotion regulation has yet to be made clear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of personality traits and emotion regulation on personality functioning. Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS) were rated for 220 patients with depression and/or anxiety disorder diagnosis and 100 healthy controls. Stepwise regression analyses (SRA) were used to find potential predictors of personality functioning, and generalized linear analyses (GLA) were used to find mediators between the traits and personality functioning. SRA results in the clinical group showed that higher depression, antagonism, difficulties in impulse control and difficulties in awareness predicted higher levels of dysfunction in personality. According to GLA results in the clinical group, the impulse subscale of DERS partially mediated the relationship between antagonism and level of impairment in personality functioning. Our results indicate that certain emotion regulation styles and personality traits play an important role in predicting personality functioning in the clinical sample of depression and anxiety patients. Future studies should focus on specific emotion dysregulation strategies and broaden the dimensional personality literature in different samples.

Il funzionamento della personalità secondo il DSM-5: DPA e SCID-5-AMPD

In 2013, with the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, an alternative section was introduced that enriched the evaluation of a dimensional aspect and this, in addition to the unleashing of criticism, has also stimulated many field and clinical researchers. In fact, during these years the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-5 has favored the creation of diagnostic tools also for this alternative model. The focus of the attention regarding dimensionality is the Criterion A, where the Level of Personality Functioning Scale is proposed to define and evaluate the seriousness of the personality pathology. In the present work, we have chosen two points of view to evaluate the personality functioning as described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-5, through two different methods of data recording to give the opportunity to grasp aspects that might complete the clinical picture in a comprehensive way, for an assessment more and more efficient. On one hand, we used the Dimensional Personality Assessment Test, filled out directly by the patient in self-assessment; on the other hand, we used the structured clinical interview for the Level of Personality Functioning Scale - Module I, included in the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders, performed by the clinician to the patient. A clinical case is reported in which the results of both instruments showed convergence and marked the start of a research project.

Psychometric Evaluation of the German Version of the Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 (STiP-5.1)

The alternative model for personality disorders of the DSM-5 introduced an evidence-based, dimensional concept for the diagnosis of personality disorders. Criterion A, operationalized with the Level of Personality Functioning Scale, differentiates different levels of impairments in personality functioning. The Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 (STiP-5.1) is a valid, reliable, and economic interview for the assessment of Criterion A. However, to date, there is no validated form of the interview in the German language. The aim of this study is the psychometric evaluation of the German version of the STiP-5.1. The validity and reliability of the STiP-5.1 was investigated in a sample of healthy adults (n=55) and inpatients diagnosed with a mental disorder (n=55). Construct validity was evaluated by correlations with questionnaires for the assessment of structural impairment (IPO-16, OPD-SQS), and maladaptive personality traits (SCID-II-PQ). Interrater reliability was investigated in a sub-sample of healthy individuals and inpatients (n=50). With regard to validity, high correlations (r=0.68-0.78) between STiP-5.1- ratings and convergent self-report questionnaires were found. The sub-sample showed good interrater reliability (ICC=0.93). Interviews took 38 min. on average. The German version of the STiP-5.1 provides a valid, reliable and economic interview procedure for the dimensional assessment of personality functioning for research and clinical practice.

DPA - Dimensional Personality Assessment An integrated approach according DSM - 5

ABSTRACT The present paper examines the theoretical bases, the psychometric properties and the applicative uses of the DPA - Dimensional Personality Assessment, a process evaluation tool of personality inspired by Criterion A for the personality disorder described in the alternative model introduced in the latest version of the DSM-5. DPA is a questionnaire that allows the self-evaluation of the person’s functioning with regard to the following four dimensions and their respective three sub-dimensions: Identity (Self-esteem, Emotional Experience, Sense of Self), Self-direction (Self-reflective Ability, Pursuit of Goals, Standards and Inner Values), Empathy (Understanding the Effects of One’s own Behavior on Others, Comprehension and Appreciation of the Experience, Tolerance of Others’ Point of View) and Intimacy (Behavior of Mutual Respect, Desire and Capacity of Closeness, Depth and Duration of the Relationship). The questionnaire is completed by a control scale for the measurement of Social Desirability (Lie Scale). The DPA consists of a total of 92 items measured on a 5-points Likert Scale. The DPA has undergone a rigorous examination of its psychometric characteristics, such as its factor structure, its reliability, and the correlation with scales from several instruments used in clinical practice and in applied research (such as the BFQ-2 and the HSCL-90, among others). The DPA was validated on a sample of over 500 non-clinical adults, and on a group of over 200 patients on psychotherapeutic treatment. The present paper describes the DPA research project and its use during a psychotherapeutic treatmentas an evidence-based instrument for the results. Keywords: Dimensional assessment, Test, monitoring, therapeutic assessment, integration, personality, evidence-based in- strument. ABSTRACT IN ITALIANO Il presente articolo esamina le basi teoriche, le proprieta psicometriche e gli usi applicativi del DPA - Dimensional Personality Assessment, uno strumento di valutazione processuale della personalita ispirato al Criterio A per il disturbo di personalita descritto nel modello alternativo, introdotto nell'ultima versione del DSM-5. Il DPA e un questionario che consente l'autovalutazione del funzionamento della persona rispetto alle seguenti quattro dimensioni e le rispettive tre sottodimensioni: Identita (Autostima, Esperienza emotiva, Senso di se), Autodirezionalita (Capacita autoriflessiva, Perseguimento degli obiettivi, Standard e valori interni), Empatia (Comprensione degli effetti del proprio comportamento sugli altri, Comprensione e apprezzamento dell'esperienza, Tolleranza del punto di vista degli altri) e Intimita (Comportamento del rispetto reciproco, Desiderio e capacita di vicinanza, Profondita e durata della relazione). Il questionario e completato da una scala di controllo per la misurazione della Desiderabilita Sociale (Scala Lie). Il DPA comprende un totale di 92 item misurati su una scala Likert a 5 livelli. Il DPA ha effettuato un esame rigoroso delle sue caratteristiche psicometriche, come la sua struttura fattoriale, la sua affidabilita e la correlazione con le scale di diversi strumenti utilizzati nella pratica clinica e nella ricerca applicata (il BFQ-2 e l'HSCL-90, tra gli altri). Il DPA e stato convalidato su un campione di oltre 500 adulti non clinici e su un gruppo di oltre 200 pazienti sottoposti a trattamento psicoterapeutico. Il presente lavoro descrive il progetto di ricerca del DPA e il suo utilizzo durante un trattamento psicoterapeutico come strumento basato sull'evidenza dei risultati. Parole chiave: Assessment dimensionale, Test, monitoraggio, assessment terapeutico, integrazione, personalita, strumento evi- dence-based.

Diagnostic Concordance Between Categorical and Dimensional Instruments to Assess Personality Disorder in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abstract. The study examines the relationship between a categorical and a dimensional personality assessment instrument in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). A total of 162 CFS patients were included in the study (91.4% women; mean age 47.5 years). All subjects completed the Spanish versions of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Results: 78 (48.1%) of the patients presented a Personality Disorder (PD), the most frequent being Cluster C, specifically Obsessive-compulsive disorder, followed by Avoidant disorder. PDs showed a specific pattern of correlation with temperament scales. All PD clusters correlated positively with Harm Avoidance and Self-Transcendence, and negatively with Reward Dependence, Self-Directedness, and Cooperativeness. In a logistic regression analysis, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness predicted PD presence. The findings are consistent with previous studies in non-CFS samples and suggest that the combination of the Temperament and Character dimensions (low Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness and high Harm Avoidance and Self-Transcendence) correlates with PD severity, and that Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness are associated with PD presence in CFS patients. The integration of these two perspectives expands the current comprehension of personality pathology in CFS patients.

The Role of Dimensional Personality Psychopathology in a Forensic Inpatient Psychiatric Setting.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form is a widely used measure of psychopathology and includes the Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) scales, which measure dimensional maladaptive personality traits similar to those in the DSM-5 alternative model for personality disorder (PD) diagnosis. The current study evaluated the role of these dimensional personality psychopathology characteristics in a sample of 1,110 inpatients in a forensic psychiatric setting, where personality psychopathology plays a significant but understudied role. The authors examined the extent to which dimensional personality psychopathology characteristics (as measured by the PSY-5) were associated with borderline and antisocial PD diagnoses and institutional aggression. Results support the usefulness of measuring dimensional personality traits for understanding PD diagnoses, as well as incidents of institutional aggression. More specifically, the PSY-5 scales appear to measure the core features of borderline and antisocial PDs. This study supports the inclusion of dimensional personality assessment in understanding aggressive behavior in inpatient settings.

Mixed personality disorder, attempted suicide and comorbid depression in a patient with a demyelinating disease

We present the case of a 25 year-old Caucasian male (L.A.), a 6th year medical student, with a known psychiatric history of major depression disorder and a recently diagnosed demyelinating disease, admitted to “Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia” Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry for 9 days between May 25th until June 3rd 2016 for: depressed mood, diminished pleasure in almost all activities, insomnia, overall anxiety and restlessness, fatigue, diminished ability to learn or concentrate, recurrent suicidal ideation with a specific plan and four suicide attempts in the last month, symptoms which had intensified in the last four months despite following adequate treatment. We present the challenges of discerning between symptoms of depression and maladaptive personality traits in relation to the suicidal ideation and behavior. Conclusion. The scope of this article was to highlight the important role of carefully revising psychiatric symptoms and personality features in any patient who presents with suicidal ideation and a history of multiple non-lethal suicide attempts. In this specific case we had to ponder the psychological and biopsychological contributions of the possible multiple sclerosis diagnosis on the overall mental and physical state of the patient. We must draw attention on always considering simulation or a factitious disorder when our clinical intuition and evaluation indicate it. In the attempt of comprehending the suicidal phenomenon, we must integrate a dimensional assessment of personality and evaluate possible Axis I comorbidities.

Borderline Personality Disorder and Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5): Dimensional personality assessment with DSM-5

IntroductionBorderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis has been considered highly controversial. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) proposes an alternative hybrid diagnostic model for personality disorders (PD), and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) has adequate psychometric properties and has been widely used for the assessment of the dimensional component. MethodsOur aim was to analyze the utility of the personality traits presented in Section III of the DSM-5 for BPD diagnosis in an outpatient clinical sample, using the Spanish version of the PID-5. Two clinical samples were studied: BPD sample (n=84) and non-BPD sample (n=45). Between-sample differences in PID-5 scores were analyzed. ResultsThe BPD sample obtained significantly higher scores in most PID-5 trait facets and domains. Specifically and after regression logistic analyses, in BPD patients, the domains of Negative Affectivity and Disinhibition, and the trait facets of emotional lability, [lack of] restricted affectivity, and impulsivity were more significantly associated with BPD. ConclusionsAlthough our findings are only partially consistent with the algorithm proposed by DSM-5, we consider that the combination of the PID-5 trait domains and facets could be useful for BPD dimensional diagnosis, and could further our understanding of BPD diagnosis complexity.

The dimensional assessment of personality in drug addicts: a mixed-effects Rasch model approach

Drug abuse results from a series of different factors, such as social and family issues. Subjects more vulnerable to develop an addiction are, for instance, people living in high-stress environments who may resort to addiction in order to cope with their circumstances, such as demanding jobs, family crisis or other situations or people living in low-income households where violence occurs, who may be triggered into addiction as a way to escape negative emotions or ignore any underlying problems or issues. Psychometric research in the field of drug dependence has focused on identifying certain personality characteristics. It is now generally agreed that personality may influence, precipitate or perpetuate substance abuse. The aim of this paper is to perform a dimensional assessment of personality in a sample of drug addicts. To better understand the complexity of addictive behaviours of substance-using individuals, the Cloninger’s temperament and character inventory test is employed while the item response data analysis is performed by mixed-effects Rasch models. These models combine the advantages both of Rasch measurement framework for latent variables and of models with hierarchical data. To evaluate the differences in dimensions of temperament and character inventory test in subjects with drug addiction, we fit and compare a sequence of mixed-effects Rasch models. Results from models fitting are compared and discussed for a data set of 84 participants.

Striking the (Im)Proper Balance between Scientific Advances and Clinical Utility: Commentary on the DSM-5 Proposal for Personality Disorders.

We review briefly the contributions of Skodol, Pincus, and Widiger (this issue) describing and critiquing the proposed changes in the assessment of personality and personality disorders for the DSM-5. Despite the hard work of the DSM-5 Work Group to date, there are shortcomings and areas of controversy in the current proposal that demand further attention and change. We discuss the controversy in the broader context of the DSM over the past 30 years. In addressing specific problems, we focus on the limitations of the proposed system for assessing traits (even as we endorse the movement toward dimensional assessment of personality) and the difficulties posed by the current "hybrid" model that attempts to include both traits and types. In moving forward, we suggest greater emphasis on decision-making regarding the presence and severity of any personality disorder (understood on the basis of generalized failures in adaptation) and greater flexibility in identifying the variants of personality disorders in order to accommodate both traits and types more inclusively during this transition toward dimensional approaches to assessment.

Personality dimensions among women with an eating disorder: Towards reconceptualizing DSM

To evaluate the incremental validity of a dimensional assessment of personality, after controlling for diagnostic category, in accounting for meaningful variation in eating disorder attitudes and behaviours and in current affective distress among a clinical sample of eating disordered women. 244 treatment seeking eating disordered women and 116 non-eating disordered women were assessed with the NEO five factor inventory (NEO-FFI), and with measures of eating disorder attitudes and of affective distress using a cross sectional design. As predicted, differences were found between eating disordered and non-eating disordered women on several NEO-FFI scales, which provided a context for subsequent analyses. NEO-FFI scales accounted for meaningful variation in eating disordered attitudes and behaviours as well as in levels of current affective distress over and above DSM-IV diagnostic category. A flexible approach to diagnosis, which includes personality dimensions along with a description of eating disorder symptoms, may result in a more inclusive and useful diagnostic scheme for treating women with eating disorders.

Pathological personality traits and externalizing behaviour

AbstractPrevious research has identified general personality traits and personality disorders that are associated with externalizing behaviour (EB). There is a dearth of research, however, investigating the relations between pathological personality traits and EB. The current study examined pathological personality traits, as measured by the Schedule for Non‐adaptive and Adaptive Functioning (SNAP) and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology‐Basic Questionnaire (DAPP‐BQ), in relation to EB. Undergraduates (n = 228) completed the SNAP, DAPP‐BQ, and a measure of antisocial behaviour, substance use, gambling, intimate partner violence and risky sexual behaviour. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we identified the best fitting model as one that specified eight factors: five personality factors composed of constructs assessed by the DAPP and SNAP, one externalizing factor and two method factors corresponding to each of the measures. Consistent with the empirical literature using general personality traits, the current results suggest that pathological personality traits related to impulse control (i.e. low conscientiousness), as well as more interpersonally focused traits (i.e. low agreeableness), were most strongly associated with EB. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Personality Subtypes in Disruptive Adolescent Males

This study examined whether personality differences might account for meaningful heterogeneity within and across DSM-IV diagnostic categories for disruptive adolescent boys. In a broader study of personality pathology in adolescence, a national sample of 293 clinicians completed the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure 200-A on randomly selected outpatients aged 14 to 18 in their care. Of 138 boys in the sample, 71 had a diagnosis of Disruptive Behavior Disorders or a history of arrests. Q-factor analysis identified 3 personality subtypes within this subsample: psychopathic (n = 28), social outcast (n = 22), and impulsive delinquent (n = 17). The subtypes differed on external criterion variables indicative of a valid taxonomic distinction, notably personality ratings, clinician-report child behavior checklist subscale scores, and etiologic variables. Personality subtypes converged with subtypes of delinquent boys identified by longitudinal research, and they showed substantial incremental validity in predicting adaptive functioning beyond Disruptive Behavior Disorders diagnoses. Results suggest that dimensional personality assessment in disruptive/delinquent adolescent boys provides information beyond existing diagnoses that may prove useful in prevention, clinical conceptualization, and treatment.

Dimensional assessment of personality and impulsiveness in borderline personality disorder

The aim of this study is to determine the dimensional personality profile in borderline personality disorder (BPD), and to assess the multidimensional nature of impulsiveness using self-reported and laboratorial measures. We compared the differences in 39 female subjects diagnosed with BPD and 102 healthy controls using a battery of self-report instruments and a laboratorial measure of impulsivity. BPD patients obtained higher scores in impulsivity and aggressiveness self-report measures and higher impulsive-related temperament dimensions, compared with the control group. BPD patients did not differ from controls in laboratorial-behavioral impulsivity and there was no association between self-report impulsivity and the performance in the laboratorial task. According to our findings, BPD patients are characterized by high levels of trait impulsivity in several domains. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a possible deficit in the inhibitory control in BPD patients, suggested by an impulsive response pattern in the neurocognitive assessment. Future studies should study the relationship between personality traits and rapid-response impulsivity using different laboratorial-behavioral measures in BPD patients.

Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire data on alcoholic violent offenders: specific connections to severe impulsive cluster B personality disorders and violent criminality

BackgroundThe validity of traditional categorical personality disorder diagnoses is currently re-evaluated from a continuous perspective, and the evolving DSM-V classification may describe personality disorders dimensionally. The utility of dimensional personality assessment, however, is unclear in violent offenders with severe personality pathology.MethodsThe temperament structure of 114 alcoholic violent offenders with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) was compared to 84 offenders without ASPD, and 170 healthy controls. Inclusion occurred during a court-ordered mental examination preceded by homicide, assault, battery, rape or arson. Participants underwent assessment of temperament with the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) and were diagnosed with DSM-III-R criteria.ResultsThe typical temperament profile in violent offender having ASPD comprised high novelty seeking, high harm avoidance, and low reward dependence. A 21% minority scored low in trait harm avoidance. Results, including the polarized harm avoidance dimension, are in accordance with Cloninger's hypothesis of dimensional description of ASPD. The low harm avoidance offenders committed less impulsive violence than high harm avoidance offenders. High harm avoidance was associated with comorbid antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder.ConclusionResults indicate that the DSM based ASPD diagnosis in alcoholic violent offenders associates with impulsiveness and high novelty seeking but comprises two different types of ASPD associated with distinct second-order traits that possibly explain differences in type of violent criminality. Low harm avoidance offenders have many traits in common with high scorers on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Results link high harm avoidance with broad personality pathology and argue for the usefulness of self-report questionnaires in clinical praxis.

Characteristics of offenders referred to a medium secure NHS personality disorder service: the first five years

As new services for offenders with personality disorder emerge in the UK, there is interest in the methods of assessments and characteristics of patients admitted. To evaluate use of selection criteria for admission to a dedicated personality disorder service within medium secure hospital provision in the UK, and to test for features that discriminate between those admitted and those rejected. A structured multidisciplinary assessment was administered to offenders referred to a new personality disorder service in a medium secure psychiatric unit. The evaluation included self-report and observer ratings across a range of domains including categorical axis I disorders and axis II disorders, dimensional assessment of personality and ratings of intellect and risk. Sixty-eight male offenders were assessed, of whom 47 were offered admission. No differences were found between those accepted or rejected on demographic, offence and most clinical characteristics. Axis I comorbidity was high in both groups (over 90%). There was no indication of staff overriding exclusion criteria but men who were accepted had greater extraversion and conscientiousness on the NEO-FFI. Staff screening men for suitability for admission to this new specialist medium security hospital unit stayed true to given exclusion criteria in their decision not to offer a bed. Characteristics with face value as qualities necessary for engagement in treatments appeared to influence positive choices. Next steps will be to test the validity of choice with outcome studies.

The dimensional assessment of personality in pathologic and social gamblers: the role of novelty seeking and self-transcendence

Objective A few personality traits are characteristic of pathologic gamblers (PGs), but it is not clear if and how their personality profile differs from that of non-pathologic gamblers (non-PGs). Methods Sixty-five non-clinical subjects, differentiated into non-PGs and PGs with the means of the South Oak Gambling Screen (SOGS) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fourth Edition–Text Revision ( DSM-IV-TR) criteria, were administered with the Temperament and Character Inventory; their values were compared with those of control subjects (CS). Results Novelty seeking (NS) and self-transcendence (ST) values were higher whereas self-directedness and cooperativeness values were lower in PGs with respect to both non-PGs and CS. A positive correlation was noted between SOGS score and NS ( r = 0.40) and ST ( r = 0.50) values, as well as a significant positive dependence between SOGS score and a family history of gambling ( t = 2.816; P = .007). The subsamples of PGs reporting a parental involvement in gambling showed higher NS than the remaining PGs. Conclusions Specific temperamental and character dimensions, especially NS and ST, differentiated PGs from both non-PGs and CS; the identification of a personality profile at risk for problem gambling may represent an important predictor of outcome and constitute a possible target for specific treatment approaches.

Dimensional assessment of personality in an out-patient sample: Relations of the systems of Millon and Cloninger

The Cloninger Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II) are both self-report inventories that can be used to assess personality reliably in clinical samples. Both instruments were administered to 103 consecutive psychiatric out-patients with or without personality disorders. The goals were to assess the convergent validity of the two instruments, to replicate the findings of Svrakic et al. (1993) Archives of General Psychiatry, 50, 991–999, about the differential diagnosis of Axis II disorders, and to analyse the relations of Millon's measures of Axis 1 disorders with Cloninger's measures. We observed a strong convergent validity between the instruments; the seven dimensions of the TCI accounted for most of the variance in MCMI-II measures of both Axis 1 and Axis 2 disorders. As reported by Svrakic et al. (1993) Archives of General Psychiatry, 50, 991–999, in in-patients, low self-directedness and low cooperativeness were confirmed to be the essential features of all personality disorders in out-patients. In addition, self-transcendence, the third of Cloninger's character dimensions, was observed to be a strong correlate of severe Axis-1 psychopathology, including manic and delusional disorders.

Personality dimensions in panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder

To make a dimensional assessment of personality in individuals with pathological anxiety, the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) was administered to 32 patients with panic disorder (PD) and 49 patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The most striking findings were a substantially increased score on the harm avoidance dimension in both groups of patients, and a lack of significant differences between the TPQ scores in patients with PD and GAD. The former finding suggests that higher levels of harm avoidance may be common to (although not necessarily specific for) various types of anxiety disorders. The latter finding is in agreement with the findings that PD and GAD do not differ significantly with respect to the associated personality disorder diagnoses, which may further cast a doubt on the validity of the distinction between PD and GAD.

The Wisconsin Personality Disorders Inventory: Development, Reliability, and Validity

The Wisconsin Personality Disorders Inventory (WISPI) is a self-report questionnaire derived from an interpersonal perspective on the DSM-III-R personality disorders. Internal consistency for 11 personality disorder scales was very high in a sample of 1230 normals and patients. Two-week test-retest reliability in 80 patients and nonpatients was also high. Interscale correlations were higher than desirable but were reduced by corrections for response bias. A clinician sort of WISPI items to DSM-III criteria and independent coding of items for interpersonal content indicated good validity vis-a-vis both frames of reference. Patients scored higher than nonpatients on most scales, and patients with current clinical diagnoses of any personality disorder scored higher than those with no Axis II disorders. Other indicators of concurrent validity were high to moderate correlations with Personality Disorders Questionnaire, MMPI Personality Disorder Scales, and Millón Clinical Multiaxial Inventory self-reports; and with clinician ratings on a dimensional personality assessment form in a subsample of 146 outpatients.