Histrionic Traits Research Articles

Ethnic Differences in the Prevalence of Compulsive and Histrionic Traits among Pilots in the UAE: A Comparative Study

This study aims to examine the prevalence rates of compulsive and histrionic characteristics among pilots from diverse demographic backgrounds such as South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Western pilots. The research aims to identify differences in personality traits and explore potential correlations within each ethnic group of commercial pilots. The data was provided by sixty pilots, equally representing three different ethnic groups, with twenty participants in each demographic. To collect the data, the researchers used a measuring tool designed to reveal signs of mental disorders, known as the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI). According to ANOVA results, there is a notable difference in prevalence rates for compulsive and histrionic traits among the three different ethnic groups (F (2,87) = 4.76, p =0.00057). Overall, the results showed that South Asian pilots had more compulsive traits than Middle Eastern and Western pilots. On the other hand, Middle Eastern pilots were found to have a higher occurrence of histrionic traits compared to their counterparts from South Asia and Westen pilots. The correlation analysis confirmed that there was a substantial link between histrionic and compulsive traits (r = 0.51, p < 0.05). A similar trend was seen for Middle Eastern pilots, where a weakly positive link (r = 0.24, p < 0.05) was visible. On the other hand, the Western pilots showed a weak, inverse correlation between compulsive and histrionic characteristics (r = - 0.14, p<00), displaying unique profiles within this group in terms of their mutual interaction. These results offer a profound understanding of the relationship between ethnicity and personality traits in pilots.

Borderline shades: Morphometric features predict borderline personality traits but not histrionic traits

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most diagnosed disorders in clinical settings. Besides the fully diagnosed disorder, borderline personality traits (BPT) are quite common in the general population. Prior studies have investigated the neural correlates of BPD but not of BPT. This paper investigates the neural correlates of BPT in a subclinical population using a supervised machine learning method known as Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) to build predictive models. Additionally, we want to determine whether the same brain areas involved in BPD are also involved in subclinical BPT. Recent attempts to characterize the specific role of resting state-derived macro networks in BPD have highlighted the role of the default mode network. However, it is not known if this extends to the subclinical population. Finally, we wanted to test the hypothesis that the same circuitry that predicts BPT can also predict histrionic personality traits. Histrionic personality is sometimes considered a milder form of BPD, and making a differential diagnosis between the two may be difficult. For the first time KRR was applied to structural images of 135 individuals to predict BPT, based on the whole brain, on a circuit previously found to correctly classify BPD, and on the five macro-networks. At a whole brain level, results show that frontal and parietal regions, as well as the Heschl’s area, the thalamus, the cingulum, and the insula, are able to predict borderline traits. BPT predictions increase when considering only the regions limited to the brain circuit derived from a study on BPD, confirming a certain overlap in brain structure between subclinical and clinical samples. Of all the five macro networks, only the DMN successfully predicts BPD, confirming previous observations on its role in the BPD. Histrionic traits could not be predicted by the BPT circuit. The results have implications for the diagnosis of BPD and a dimensional model of personality.

Construction and characteristic of the media exhibitionism construct and the Media Exhibitionism Questionnaire

Abstract Introduction: Internet users often reveal online intimate details from their lives, such as pictures with naked parts of their bodies or posts about their emotional states. The first part of the article presents an attempt to create media exhibitionism construct based on psychopathological criteria from ICD-10. The second part of the article presents psychometric properties of the Media Exhibitionism Questionnaire. Material and methods: After extracting 49 items, based on the theoretical foundations of the media exhibitionism construct, the competent judges assessed the accuracy of individual items. This resulted in the selection of 20 statements. Then the revised questionnaire was sent to Facebook users asking them to fill it out and send it to other users of the portal. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out by the method of main components with Varimax rotation on N=65 persons, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on N=554 persons. Results: After EFA the questionnaire consisted of 14 items and 4 factors: physical exhibitionism, exhibitionism of narcissistic traits, emotional exhibitionism, exhibitionism of histrionic traits. The four-factor solution was adopted on the basis of theoretical assumptions. The chi2 value was significant (χ2=286.01; p<0.001), which indicated discrepancies between the observed covariance matrix and the one implied by the model. Other indicators have shown a satisfactory agreement between the data and the model. Conclusions: The questionnaire has satisfactory psychometric properties (α=0.846) and can be used to predict problem behaviours on social media, as well as in counselling regarding responsible development of self-image on the Internet.

Prevalence and 10-Year Stability of Personality Disorders From Adolescence to Young Adulthood in a High-Risk Sample.

BackgroundWith the implementation of the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in early 2022, there will be a radical change in the framework and process for diagnosing personality disorders (PDs), indicating a transition from the categorical to the dimensional model. Despite increasing evidence that PDs are not as stable as previously assumed, the long-term stability of PDs remains under major debate. The aim of the current paper was to investigate the categorical and dimensional mean-level and rank-order stability of PDs from adolescence into young adulthood in a high-risk sample.MethodsIn total, 115 young adults with a history of residential child welfare and juvenile-justice placements in Switzerland were included in the current study. PDs were assessed at baseline and at a 10-year follow-up. On a categorical level, mean-level stability was assessed through the proportion of enduring cases from baseline to follow-up. Rank-order stability was assessed through Cohen’s κ and tetrachoric correlation coefficients. On a dimensional level, the magnitude of change between the PD trait scores at baseline and at follow-up was measured by Cohen’s d. Rank-order stability was assessed through Spearman’s ρ.ResultsThe prevalence rate for any PD was 20.0% at baseline and 30.4% at follow-up. The most frequently diagnosed disorders were antisocial, borderline, and obsessive-compulsive PDs, both at baseline and at follow-up. On a categorical level, the mean-level stability of any PD was only moderate, and the mean-level stability of specific PDs was low, except of schizoid PD. Likewise, the rank-order stability of any PD category was moderate, while ranging from low to high for individual PD diagnoses. On a dimensional level, scores increased significantly for most PDs, except for histrionic traits, which decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up. Effect sizes were generally low. The rank-order stability for dimensional scores ranged from low to moderate.ConclusionThe findings indicate low to moderate stability of Pds and Pd traits from adolescence to adulthood, which supports the growing evidence that categorical diagnoses of Pds are quite unstable. This in turn, emphasizes the use of the upcoming ICD-11 that Acknowledgments Pds to be only “relatively” stable.

Sexual Coercion by Women: The Influence of Pornography and Narcissistic and Histrionic Personality Disorder Traits

Largely overlooked in the literature, this study investigated factors influencing women’s use of sexual coercion. Specifically, pornography use and personality disorder traits linked with poor impulse control, emotional regulation, and superior sense of sexual desirability were considered. Women (N = 142) aged 16–53 years (M = 24.23, SD = 7.06) were recruited from community and student populations. Participants completed the Narcissistic and Histrionic subscales of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4, in addition to the Cyber-Pornography Use Inventory to explore the influence of their pornography use (interest, efforts to engage with pornography, and compulsivity) on their use of sexual coercion. This was measured using four subscales of the Postrefusal Sexual Persistence Scale: nonverbal sexual arousal, emotional manipulation and deception, exploitation of the intoxicated, and use of physical force or threats. Multiple regression analyses revealed that pornography use, narcissistic traits, and histrionic traits significantly predicted the use of nonverbal sexual arousal, emotional manipulation and deception, and exploitation of the intoxicated. Effort to engage with pornography was a significant individual predictor of nonverbal sexual arousal and emotional manipulation and deception, while histrionic traits were a significant individual predictor of exploitation of the intoxicated. Findings were discussed in relation to existing sexual coercion literature and potential future research.

Developmental Course of Personality Disorder Traits in Childhood and Adolescence.

Developmental patterns of personality pathology traits are not well delineated from childhood through late adolescence. In the present study, participants (N = 675, 56% female) were recruited to create three cohorts of third (n = 205), sixth (n = 248), and ninth (n = 222) graders to form an accelerated longitudinal cohort design. We assessed six PD (avoidant, dependent, histrionic, narcissistic, borderline, schizotypal) traits based on DSM-IV trait diagnostic conceptualizations via parent report at baseline, 18 months, and 36 months. According to parent report, mean levels of avoidant, dependent, histrionic, narcissistic, borderline, and schizotypal traits all declined for both boys and girls. The changes in dependent and histrionic traits were of medium effect size, and the changes in avoidant, narcissistic, borderline, and schizotypal traits were of small effect size. Over the 3 years of the study, the traits of each PD also demonstrated moderate to high rank-order stability.

Development of a Scale to Measure Histrionic Traits According to the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a version of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2) focusing on the Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) traits according to the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) model, and to verify its psychometric properties. The method was divided into two stages. The first was related to the revision procedures of the IDCP-2 based on the HiTOP, focusing on the assessment of features typical of HPD. The second aimed to verify the psychometric properties of the new version of the IDCP-2 (i.e., IDCP-HPD) in a convenience sample (N=208), mainly composed of women, with data collection carried out online. The IDCP-HPD was administered with the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and Five-Factor Histrionic Inventory (FFHI) factors. Of the 16 initial traits provided by the HiTOP, 8 were selected as relevant for the HPD and 17 items were selected to compose the new factors. The 4 factor solution found through exploratory structural equation modeling, the correlations with the external measures and the effects found in the between-group comparisons suggest the psychometric adequacy of the IDCP-HPD. The findings of this study should be interpreted as initial evidence for the IDCP-HPD, indicating the practicality of the test.

Family assessment among patients with various mental disorders

Background Most families of patients with mental disorders have family patterns that vary with their mental disorder. Objective Description and association of family structure and pattern in relation to level of functioning, psychiatric diagnosis, and other demographic data. Patients and methods Patients in inpatient and outpatient clinics in Psychological Medicine Hospital in Cairo between June and December 2012 were assessed. Informed consents were obtained from patients and their families. Patients were assessed using psychiatric interview, International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) symptom checklist, structured assessment of personality, global assessment of functioning (GAF) scale, family assessment scale, and family socioeconomic scale. Statistics were done using SPSS (χ2-test). Results Psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in eldest birth order, skewed family pattern, cold controlling parent–child attachment style, families with poor communication in spite of good parenting, prevalent paternal obsessive traits, and maternal histrionic and dependent traits. ICD-10 diagnoses vary with age, sex, parenting style, and family assessment scale adaptability and parenting. GAF vary with ICD-10 diagnoses, and parenting style. Conclusion Psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in eldest birth order, skewed family pattern, cold controlling parent–child attachment style, families with poor communication though good parenting, with paternal obsessive traits, and maternal histrionic and dependent traits. Patients with psychotic disorders, who have poorer functioning, have families with good adaptability and parenting, and also idealizing parenting style. Patients with neurotic disorders who have better functioning have families with poor adaptability and parenting, and also scapegoating parenting style. Patients with psychotic disorders scored less than 20 on GAF. Meanwhile patients with neurotic scored 41–60.

Subjective quality of life in recent onset of psychosis patients and its association with sociodemographic variables, psychotic symptoms and clinical personality traits.

There is lack of research on the study of clinical personality traits in recent onset of psychosis (ROP) patients. The aims of this research were to study the relations among psychosocial, personality and clinical characteristics in ROP patients and also the effect that significant variables had on the different domains of Quality of Life (QoL). Data for these analyses were obtained from 81 ROP patients. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Scale were used to assess personality, symptoms and QoL. Correlations between the negative symptoms and the physical, psychological and social domains of QoL, and the disorganized symptoms and physical domain, were found. Furthermore, the physical, psychological and social relationship domains of QoL were lower in patients with schizoid traits and the psychological domain was lower in patients with depressive traits. In contrast, the psychological and social domains were higher in patients with histrionic traits, while the physical domain was higher for patients with narcissistic traits. Multiple linear regressions demonstrated that negative symptoms and narcissistic and depressive traits explained 16.9% of the physical domain. Narcissistic and depressive traits explained 15% of the psychological domain. Finally, the negative symptoms and histrionic traits explained 13.7% of the social domain. QoL seems to be better explained by negative psychotic symptoms and some clinical personality traits. Our results support the importance of integrated intervention approaches that consider personality.

Personality traits and disorders among adult ADHD Patients: Is borderline personality disorder as common as we expect?

IntroductionPatients with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have shown a high risk to develop a DSM cluster B (i.e., Borderline, OR = 13.16; Antisocial, OR = 3.03; Narcissistic, OR = 8.69) and DSM Avoidant personality disorder (OR = 9.77). Similarly, higher rates of DSM cluster B personality disorder were found among adult ADHD patients (6-25%) than general population. Although some authors investigated the prevalence of personality traits and disorders among adult ADHD patients, no studies have been yet reported about the assessment of Millon's Evolution-Based Personality profiles in adult ADHD patients.AimsTo explore the prevalence of personality traits and disorders among adult ADHD patients.MethodsMillon's personality traits and disorders were assessed in a consecutive sample of 35 adult ADHD outpatients accessing the Service for Adult ADHD of the AOU San Luigi Gonzaga (Orbassano, TO) using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory–III (MCMI-III).ResultsAccording to the MCMI-III manual, ADHD patients in our sample showed more frequently both Cluster C and Cluster A traits and disorders, with a high prevalence of avoidant/depressive (8.6%/14.3%) and negativistic/self-defeating (20%/5.7%) personality disorders. Conversely, we found a low prevalence of Narcissistic (5.7%) and Histrionic (5.7%) traits, and no patient showed Borderline personality traits or disorder.ConclusionsUnexpectedly, the dimensional assessment of adult ADHD personality reveals a high prevalence of cluster C and cluster A personality traits and disorders, and a low prevalence of cluster B personality disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Personality Traits of Alcohol-dependent Women

Objectives The aim of the research is to study personality traits of alcohol-dependent women, to reveal the personality-related factors preconditioning the disease onset and distinctive features of the clinical course of alcohol dependence. Methods A group of 60 women (average age of 42,5) was examined using the structured interview method and personality test questionnaires – MMPI, TCI, BIG-5, WAIS. Results Labile, epileptoid, cycloid, and hysterical (histrionic) traits were prevalent in women under examination. According to the MMPI results, the average personality profile is characterized by high values on Scale 6 (Pt), Scale 8 (Sc), Scale 4 (Pd), while the values on Scale 10 (Si) and Scale 1 (HS) were low. The respondents can be described as disharmonious, prone to affective responses, and low conformity. As a rule, such women have poorly developed self-control, solve their problems in irrational ways, and sometimes lose touch with reality. They do not adhere to socially accepted norms of behavior and mostly reside in the world of their subjective experiences. Therewith, these women feel a deep need for support, attention and empathy. All of the above-mentioned prevents them from achieving success in their activities and causes an emotional distress relieved through alcohol consumption. They perceive alcohol as a means to cope with the problems. Conclusions Further study of personality traits of alcohol-dependent women along with consideration of biological and social factors will enable to determine the pathoplastic influence of the constitutional basis on the alcoholism clinical course. This will help to develop the methods of person-centered psychotherapy and to increase the efficiency of medical treatment.

Appropriate training based on Balint groups can improve the empathic abilities of medical students: A preliminary study

ObjectiveAlthough empathy is critical in a doctor–patient relationship, empathic abilities seem to decline throughout medical school. This study aimed at examining changes in empathic abilities of fourth-year medical students who participated in an optional certificate based on Balint groups. MethodsThirty-four students were included in the “Balint group” certificate and compared with 129 participating in other certificates. Before the training sessions and 4months later, they filled up the interpersonal reactivity index (IRI) and were asked to rate their emotional reactions in response to two case-reports: the first described a woman with diabetes, borderline- personality traits and a history of childhood trauma; the second, a woman with histrionic traits suffering from multiple sclerosis and hospitalized for functional symptoms. A principal component analysis extracted four factors from the 8 questions asked: empathic-approach (e.g. finding the patient touching), rejecting-attitude, intellectual-interest and fear of emotion contagion. ResultsAt baseline, there were no socio-demographic or psychological differences between groups. At follow-up, an increase of IRI fantasy-scale (p=0.02) and a decrease of IRI empathic-concern (p=0.006) were observed, regardless of the group. Empathic-approach only increased in the “Balint group” and for the first case-report (p=0.023), with a difference between the groups at follow-up (p=0.003). ConclusionResults suggest that Balint groups may enable medical students to better handle difficult clinical situations such as those presented by borderline personalities. Our findings encourage assessing training initiatives designed at helping young medical students to take into account the emotional component of a doctor–patient relationship.

Perceived Reduced Sleep-Related Erections in Subjects with Erectile Dysfunction: Psychobiological Correlates

Perceived reduced sleep-related erections (PR-SREs), along with erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypoactive sexual desire, have been recently recognized as the most important symptoms characterizing late-onset hypogonadism in community-dwelling European men. However, the clinical correlates of PR-SREs have not been thoroughly investigated. To evaluate the psychobiological correlates of PR-SREs in a large series of subjects consulting for ED. A consecutive series of 3,888 (mean age 51.6 ± 13.0 years) ED patients attending an outpatient ED clinic was retrospectively analyzed. PR-SREs were investigated using validated question #13 of structured interview on ED, which showed an accuracy of approximately 70% in predicting Rigiscan™ (Dacomed Corp., Minneapolis, MN, USA) parameters in a consecutive subset of 199 subjects. Clinical, biochemical, hormonal, instrumental (penile color Doppler ultrasound; PCDU), and intrapsychic (Middlesex Health Questionnaire) correlates were also evaluated. PR-SREs were reported by 63.6% of patients. After adjustment for age, total, analog free, calculated free and calculated bioavailable testosterone (T) were significantly lower in subjects reporting more severe PR-SREs. After adjusting for T levels and other confounders, PR-SREs were still associated with higher body mass index, glucose, and triglyceride levels, as well as with an increased 10-year cardiovascular risk score. Accordingly, PR-SREs were more prevalent in subjects showing a reduced dynamic peak systolic velocity at PCDU or reporting severe ED. Among intrapsychic parameters, depressive and histrionic traits were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in subjects with any degree of PR-SREs. Our study indicates that investigating PR-SREs represents an important step during the andrological consultation. In fact, reduced SREs might indicate an endocrine, organic, and/or psychiatric ED background that might help in directing further investigation.

The effect of severity and personality on the psychotic presentation of major depression

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether symptom severity or personality traits are associated with psychotic symptoms in major depression (MD), since it is still debated whether psychotic depression represents the most severe form of depression or the effect of personality structure. The study included 163 patients affected by MD who were divided into four groups on the basis of the presence/absence of melancholic features and psychotic symptoms. All subjects completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders (SCID-IV), the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D). Personality was assessed after MD remission (absence of DSM-IV criteria and Ham-D score lower than 7 for at least 2 months). Psychotic symptoms were positively associated with symptom severity (higher Ham-D total score) and with paranoid and schizotypal traits and negatively related to histrionic traits. Our data support the view that the effect of paranoid-schizotypal traits and symptom severity on the presence of psychotic symptoms in MD occurs separately and they are independent of each other.

The home for histrionism

AbstractOne of the official proposals for the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual (DSM‐5) is to provide a dimensional model in which 37 traits are included within six broad domains. One of the more important traits within this model is ‘histrionism’ because another proposal for DSM‐5 is to delete the histrionic diagnostic category. The only way to recover histrionic traits in DSM‐5 will be through the dimensional model. Histrionism, though, is included within the domain of antagonism of this dimensional model, despite the fact that previous research has consistently placed histrionic personality disorder within extraversion. The current study tests empirically whether histrionic personality traits are optimally placed within the domain of extraversion or antagonism through tests involving seven alternative measures of histrionic personality disorder, five scales to assess the DSM‐5 components of histrionism, 10 measures of various histrionic personality traits and two alternative measures of extraversion. The results of the study provide support for placing histrionism within antagonism and clarify the inconsistency of the DSM‐5 placement with the existing research, but also indicate that a more complete and accurate understanding of histrionism would include extraversion. The implications of the findings for DSM‐5 and future research are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Living his writings: The example of neurologist G. Gilles de la tourette

Gilles de la Tourette is known for the disease which now bears his name. As one of the closest followers of Jean-Martin Charcot, he always remained faithful to his mentor's views and was one of the most vehement defenders of La Salpêtrière. His activities in the management of hysterics and in hypnotism helped build his reputation during his lifetime, but are now largely forgotten. Gilles de la Tourette had an unusual personality, with hypomanic and histrionic traits. We present some ignored aspects of his life based on the discovery of personal letters which illuminate the hidden side of this famous neurologist.

Pathological personality traits and suicidal ideation among older adolescents and young adults with alcohol misuse: A pilot case-control study in a primary care setting

To compare the clinical and demographic characteristics of older adolescents and young adults with and without alcohol misuse in a primary care setting. This study is a case-control study. Eighty-one 18-30 year old adolescents and young adults attending a primary care center were assessed with the CAGE questionnaire, the PRIME-MD instrument and the IPDE screening questionnaire. Sub-samples of positive screen for alcohol misuse (n = 21) and a negative age- and gender matched group (n = 21) were compared. Of those with alcohol misuse, 71.9% had a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis. Depressive and anxiety disorders appeared to be more prevalent among the subjects with alcohol misuse than among controls. Among those patients with depressive or anxiety disorders and alcohol misuse, 22.2% reported suicidal ideation as compared to none among the controls suffering from depressive or anxiety disorders. 69.1% of subjects with alcohol misuse had a comorbid personality disorder. Significantly more adolescents and young adults with alcohol misuse exhibited borderline personality traits (p = 0.03) and there was also a trend towards a greater proportion exhibiting histrionic traits (p = 0.07) than among those without alcohol misuse. Adolescents and young adults with alcohol misuse in a primary care center have a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity. Cluster B personality disorders may be more prevalent in the population with alcohol misuse. Adolescents and young adults with alcohol misuse may be more likely to report suicidal ideation while suffering from depressive or anxiety disorders. Further studies that evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics of adolescents and young adults with alcohol misuse attended in a primary care center are needed.

Relationships between personality disorder attributes and friendship qualities among college students

Personality disorder trait predictors of the quality and durability of close personal friendships have rarely been examined in the literature. Links between Acquaintance Description Form (ADF-F2) friendship qualities and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II) personality disorder attributes were explored in this study of 363 college students. Passive-Aggressive, Avoidant, Schizotypal, Sadistic-Aggressive, Antisocial, Borderline, and Self-Defeating features were most closely associated with friendship insecurity. Participants exhibiting Passive-Aggressive, Self-Defeating and Borderline features tended to view their closest friendship as being more strongly influenced by external social forces. Passive-Aggressive scores and Personal Maintenance Difficulty were positively related. Histrionic traits were associated with descriptions of the closest friend as affirming and useful in utilitarian value. Sex differences were minimal in the prediction of relationship qualities using the MCMI-II personality disorder dimensions.

Hostility and Personality Disorder

The role of hostility in personality disorder (Pd) traits was explored using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the relative contributions of the eight hostility scales. The criterion variables were the personality disorder scales of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory. The participants were 158 first year male and female university students. The results show that Resentment (covert hostility) explains large proportions of variances in borderline, avoidant, schizotypal, passive-aggressive, obsessive-compulsive, and schizoid disorder traits. Verbal hostility (overt hostility) is associated with antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic Pd traits. Suspiciousness contributes relatively large variances in paranoid disorder traits, whereas guilt is the dominant aspect of dependent Pd traits. The results are explained with reference to the agreeableness versus antagonism facets of the Five-Factor model of personality and Beck's schema construct.

Einfluss von Persönlichkeitsstörungen auf den Erfolg einer multimodalen Verhaltenstherapie bei Zwangserkrankungen – Teil II: Ergebnisse einer empirischen Studie

Impact of Personality Disorders on Treatment Outcome in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders – Part II: Results of an Empirical Study Aim: Comorbid personality disorders are discussed as risk factors for a negative treatment outcome in obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD). However, existing studies have yielded controversial results. Prospective studies with OCD patients in clinical routine are warranted to shed further light on this issue. Method: 55 patients fulfilling criteria of OCD were investigated. Patients were consecutively referred to a behaviour therapy inpatient unit or day clinic. Treatment consisted of an individualized and multimodal cognitive behaviour therapy (with or without adjuvant drug therapy). Results: The presence of one or more personality disorders is not associated with the treatment outcome. Duration of treatment was not prolonged in OCD patients with concomitant axis II disorders. However, anxious and dissociative personality traits (assessed by a self-rating-questionnaire at the beginning of treatment) were identified as risk factors for a negative treatment outcome, whereas histrionic traits were identified as a positive factor. Conclusions: Results are encouraging for cognitive-behaviour therapists working with patients co-diagnosed with axis II disorders. Patients with personality disorders are not necessarily non-responders. Merely some specific personality traits were associated with a less favourable outcome. Recommendations for treatment of such patients are proposed.