Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire Research Articles

Narcissism in Bulgarian adults

IntroductionNarcissistic personality disorder influences relationships and beliefs in different life spheres.ObjectiveWe aimed to measure narcissism among Bulgarian adults by establishing validity of two scales measuring narcissism, specifying some social and demographic factors and differentiating narcissistic features.MethodOne hundred and thirty-four Bulgarians (17–62 years old, M = 31; SD = 11) were examined with two scales measuring narcissism. Higher score on Narcissistic personality disorder scale from the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 correlated positively (r = .346; P < .001) with higher score on A. T. Beck and J. S. Beck's scale measuring Narcissistic beliefs from Personality Belief Questionnaire that indicated their validity.ResultsNo significant gender differences in narcissism were found, with female participants prevailing in the sample (n = 118). Family status (FPDQ−4(4,128) = 0.593; pPDQ-4 = 569; FPBQ(4,128) = 0.295; pPBQ = .881), occupational status – student, employed or unemployed (FPDQ−4(4,128) = 0.593; pPDQ−4 = .569; FPBQ(4,128) = 0.295; pPBQ = .881), secondary or university education (tPDQ−4(112) = 1.809; pPDQ−4 = .073; tPBQ(112) = 1.338; pPBQ = .184), and the length of work experience did not differentiate narcissism (RPDQ−4 = .168; tPDQ−4 = −1.853; pPDQ−4 = .066; RPBQ = .063; tPBQ = −0.681; pPBQ = .497). Advance in age was related to diminished levels of narcissism (RPDQ−4 = .21; R2PDQ−4 = .044; BPDQ−4 = −0.034; tPDQ−4 = −2.463; pPDQ−4 = .015). Higher narcissism was related to the belief of being a special person (70.8%) and to the perceptions of other people as being envy of one's personality–own achievements (60.9%).ConclusionsNarcissistic personality disorder is rare in the studied Bulgarian adult population – 4.5% of the subjects (n = 6) had the highest levels of narcissism on both scales that corresponded to the proportion of 6% prevalence of lifetime narcissism in USA, according to Stinson et al.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Personality Disorders Are Not as We Thought: Hierarchical Factor Structure at the Criterion Level

ABSTRACTThe use of personality disorder (PD) categories persists, despite the evidence against them. An often overlooked reason for this is the fact that the true structure underlying the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) taxonomy is still unknown: We cannot be certain which disorders are valid, and which ones are arbitrary mixtures of heterogeneous traits. To address this gap, we factor analyzed the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ–4+; Hyler, 1994) at the criterion level in a mixed clinical and nonclinical sample of 2,519 individuals. The resulting structure was more similar to current dimensional taxonomies than to the DSM classification at all hierarchical levels. Whereas paranoid and antisocial PDs—and to a lesser extent avoidant, dependent, depressive, and schizoid PDs—were fairly homogeneous, all other disorders turned out to be combinations of 2 or 3 unrelated dimensions. Our results strongly support the structure of empirically based dimensional taxonomies and relocate DSM criteria within this emerging framework, thus contributing to preserving much of the knowledge accumulated to date.

Factor structure and psychometric evaluation of the Connor-Davidson resilience scale in a new employee population of China

BackgroundIn order to find a suitable instrument to evaluate psychological resilience in Chinese new employee population, we intended to propose a possible factorial structure of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Furthermore, we administered to explore its reliability and validity in the present population.MethodsParticipants were derived from the male new employees who had started working in the last 2–3 months from 12 machinery factories across 8 different provinces of China. Chinese version of CD-RISC was used to assess the resilience of the study participants. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to assess the possible factor structure, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine which factor structure was the most suitable among the present study sample.ResultsThe present 4-factor model (tolerance for stress, tenacity, and goal orientation; adaptability and acceptance of change; optimism and sense of security; and trust in one’s instinct) of CD-RISC showed good internal consistency, concurrent validity and consistent structure validity, and had presented better data fit than the original 5-factor and the Chinese 3-factor patterns. Each of the present 4-factor structure and the total score of CD-RISC were negatively and significantly associated with Global Severity Index T score and Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ score.ConclusionsThe measure of resilience is useful in screening high-risk employees who are vulnerable to stress. Optimal and tailored interventions can be further applied to avoid potential adverse events in this population. Longitudinal research should be required to determine whether aging and long-term health events can change the nature of resilience.

High Prevalence of Personality Disorders in Skin-restricted Lupus Patients.

Psychiatric and personality disorders have been extensively documented in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the prevalence of personality disorders in skin-restricted lupus (SRL) patients remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of personality disorders in SRL outpatients and to examine the associated factors. We evaluated 60 SRL outpatients and 118 controls matched for sex, age and education level. On the basis of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire 4+, 38% of patients vs 20% of controls fulfilled the criteria for at least one personality disorder (OR 2.2 [95% CI 1.01-4.6], p = 0.048). Only one patient with a personality disorder had specialised mental health care. Late lupus onset and more frequent past treatments by thalidomide were associated factors. This study evidences a high prevalence of personality disorders in SRL patients and shows that most SRL patients with personality disorder do not receive specialised mental health care.

性の人格傾向,衝動の特徴が自殺念に与える影響【JST・京大機械翻訳】

Objective To explore the effects of borderline personality disorder (BPD) tendency and impulsivity on suicide ideation in counseling patients. Methods A total of 120 counseling patients were evaluated by the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ-4+ ), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). All participants were also interviewed with self-made structured clinical questionnaire for suicide ideation. Results ①Patients with suicide ideation had significantly higher score of BPD tendency ((6.02±2.15) vs (3.91±2.31), t=5.164, P 0.01), but there was no significant difference of impulsivity(F=3.536, P>0.05). ②Logistic hierarchical regression analysis revealed that only BPD tendency (B=0.319; P=0.009; OR=1.375)had a significant role in the prediction of suicide ideation after controlling for gender and depressive diagnoses. Conclusion Compared with impulsivity, BPD tendency can better predict suicide ideation of counseling patients. Key words: Counseling patients; Borderline personality disorder tendency; Impulsivity; Suicide ideation

Screening results correlating to personality disorder traits in a new employee population of People's Republic of China.

BackgroundAdaptation to a new environment may have an uncertain influence on young employees, whose values are still being formed during early adulthood. To understand the current mental status and further improve the mental health level of the new employee population of People’s Republic of China, we conducted a cross-sectional study to screen the prevalence and correlates of personality disorder (PD) traits in this population.MethodsThis study included all male participants who were new employees (those who had started working in approximately the last three months) from 12 machinery factories in People’s Republic of China. The Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ was used to evaluate the mental status of all participants. The Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale was used to assess the resilience of the study participants.ResultsA total of 3,960 male participants were included in the analysis. The mean age of the study participants was 18.7±1.5 years. The mean values of all PD subtypes were scored from 0.74 to 2.90, with a total of 16.85. Of all 10 PD traits, obsessive–compulsive, histrionic, and narcissistic scored the highest. PD traits scored significantly higher among participants who had higher education levels, came from a single-parent (divorced or separated) family, were raised in a neglectful parental rearing pattern, were the only child of the family, were living in city areas, or had a lower family income. All subtype PD traits were significantly and negatively correlated with resilience.ConclusionEducation level, single-parent family, parental rearing pattern, only-child status, living place, and family income may influence the development of PD traits. Additional high-quality studies are needed to learn more about the mental health status of new employees. Optimal interventions are warranted to avoid potential adverse events in this population.

Dialectical behavior therapy skills use and emotion dysregulation in personality disorders and psychopathy: a community self-report study.

BackgroundEmotion dysregulation is a critical transdiagnostic mental health problem that needs to be further examined in personality disorders (PDs). The current study examined dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills use, emotion dysregulation, and dysfunctional coping among adults who endorsed symptoms of cluster B PDs and psychopathy. We hypothesized that skills taught in DBT and emotion dysregulation are useful for adults with PDs other than borderline personality disorder (BPD).MethodsUsing a self-report questionnaire, we examined these constructs in three groups of community adults: those who reported symptoms consistent with borderline personality disorder (BPD; N = 29), those who reported symptoms consistent with any other cluster B PD (N = 22), and those with no reported cluster B PD symptoms (N = 77) as measured by the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 + .ResultsBoth PD groups reported higher emotion dysregulation and dysfunctional coping when compared to the no PD group. Only the BPD group had significantly lower DBT skills use. DBT skills use was found to be a significant predictor of cluster B psychopathology but only before accounting for emotion dysregulation. When added to the regression model, emotion dysregulation was found to be a significant predictor of cluster B psychopathology but DBT skills use no longer had a significant effect. Across all groups, DBT skills use deficits and maladaptive coping, but not emotion dysregulation, predicted different facets of psychopathy.ConclusionEmotion dysregulation and use of maladaptive coping are problems in cluster B PDs, outside of BPD, but not in psychopathy. Inability to use DBT skills may be unique to BPD. Because this study relied exclusively on self-report, this data is preliminary and warrants further investigation.

Neurological soft signs in Chinese adolescents with antisocial personality traits

The current study was designed to explore the specific relationship between neurologic soft signs (NSSs) and characteristics of antisocial personality traits in adolescents, and to investigate particular NSSs linked to certain brain regions in adolescents with antisocial personality traits. The research was conducted on 96 adolescents diagnosed with ASP traits (ASP trait group) using the ASPD subscale of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire for the DSM-IV (PDQ-4+) and 96 adolescents without traits of any personality disorder (control group). NSSs were assessed using the soft sign subscales of the Cambridge Neurological Inventory. Adolescents with ASP traits showed more motor coordination, sensory integration, disinhibition, and total NSSs than the control group. Seven NSSs, including stereognosia in right hand, finger agnosia and graphesthesia in both hands, left-right orientation, and go/no go stimulus, were significantly more frequent in teenagers with ASP traits. Sensory integration was positively associated with ASP traits. Adolescents with antisocial personality traits might have abnormalities in the central nervous system, and sensory integration might be the particular indicator of antisocial personality disorder.

Disturbed self concept mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult personality pathology

BackgroundDespite a robust literature documenting the relationship between childhood maltreatment and personality pathology in adulthood, there is far less clarity about the mechanism underlying this relationship. One promising candidate for such a linking mechanism is disturbance in the sense of self. This paper tests the hypothesis that disturbances in the sense of self mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult personality pathology. Specifically, we assess the self-related traits of stable self-image, self-reflective functioning, self-respect and feeling recognized. MethodsThe sample included 113 non-psychotic psychiatric inpatients. Participants completed the Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4+), and the self-reflexive functioning, stable self image, self-respect, and feeling recognized scales from the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP-118). A series of linear regressions was then performed to assess the direct and indirect effects of childhood trauma on personality disorder traits (PDQ-4+ total score), as mediated by self concept (SIPP-118 scales). Aroian tests assessed the statistical significance of each mediating effect. ResultsThere was a significant mediating effect for all SIPP self concept variables, with a full mediating effect for the SIPP composite score and for SIPP feeling recognized and self-reflexive functioning, such that the direct effect of childhood trauma on personality did not retain significance after accounting for the effect of these variables. There was a partial mediating effect for SIPP stable self image and self-respect, such that the direct effect of the CTQ retained significance after accounting for these variables. SIPP feeling recognized had the strongest mediating effect. ConclusionsMultiple facets of self concept, particularly the degree to which an individual feels understood by other people, may mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult personality pathology. This underscores the importance of attending to disturbances in the sense of self in patients with personality pathology and a history of childhood maltreatment.These findings also support the centrality of disturbed self concept to the general construct of personality pathology.

A Survey of Same-Sex Sexual Experiences Among Psychiatric Inpatients With and Without Borderline Personality Symptomatology

To the Editor: In comparison to the general population, individuals with borderline personality disorder appear to exhibit a higher prevalence of sexual experiences with members of the same sex,1–5 with psychiatric inpatients exhibiting higher rates than psychiatric outpatients, and male psychiatric outpatients exhibiting higher rates than female psychiatric outpatients. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of same-sex sexual experiences among psychiatric inpatients, comparing those with versus without borderline personality disorder symptomatology according to 3 different self-report measures for this disorder. Method. Study candidates were 167 men and women admitted to an urban psychiatric inpatient facility. Exclusion criteria included intellectual, medical, psychiatric, or cognitive impairment of a severity to diminish the individual’s ability to complete a survey. Fourteen individuals were excluded (3 vision problems, 4 intellectually disabled/illiterate, 4 psychotic, 3 malingering). Of those approached, 145 (95%) agreed to participate: 55 men and 89 women (1 participant declined to report gender), with a mean age of 38.06 years (SD = 13.06). The majority self-identified as white (74%), with 16% black. The majority (87%) had at least completed high school. Approximately 41% reported never having been married, with 18% married, 27% divorced, 10% separated, and 3% widowed. At admission, each candidate was invited to complete an anonymous survey that contained the query, “How many same-sex partners have you had in your lifetime?” with response options of ≥ 0–5. The survey also queried about borderline personality disorder using 3 self-report diagnostic measures: the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire–46 (Cronbach α = 0.74), the McLean Screening Inventory for Borderline Personality Disorder7 (Cronbach α = 0.78), and the screening instrument for the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders8 (Cronbach α = 0.86). The elements of informed consent were provided on the cover page of the survey, and completion of the survey was assumed to function as informed consent (stated on the cover page). The project was approved by the sponsoring hospital’s institutional review board. Results. Among participants, 59% reported at least 1 same-sex sexual experience. Using χ2 analyses, we examined participants with versus without borderline personality disorder according to diagnostic cutoffs in terms of this behavior (Table 1). None of these comparisons were statistically significant (all P > .05). Moreover, dimensional scores on the measures of borderline personality disorder also were not statistically significantly correlated with a history of same-sex experiences (see Table 1). Table 1 Associations Between Borderline Personality Disorder Measures and History of Same-Sex Sexual Relationships Stated simply, while inpatients with borderline personality disorder symptomatology appear to have higher rates of same-sex sexual experiences than the general population, surprisingly, these do not appear to exceed the rates encountered among psychiatric inpatients without this personality disorder. To our knowledge, this is a novel finding in the current literature and suggests that mental disorders, in general, may predict higher rates of same-sex sexual experiences. This study has a number of potential limitations, including the small sample size, self-report nature of the data, and use of an urban inpatient psychiatric sample (ie, findings may not generalize to psychiatric inpatients in nonurban settings or psychiatric outpatients). However, findings indicate that while psychiatric inpatients with borderline personality disorder symptomatology evidence higher rates of same-sex sexual experiences than the general population, these rates are not higher than those encountered among psychiatric inpatients without borderline personality disorder symptomatology.

Personality disorders among Spanish prisoners starting hepatitis C treatment: Prevalence and associated factors

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) and their associated factors in prisoners who initiate chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment in 25 Spanish prisons. The Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 was used to diagnose PDs according to DSM-IV criteria. Factors potentially associated with a PD diagnosis were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Two hundred and fifty-five patients were initially assessed and 62 (24.3%) were excluded due to an incomplete or invalid self-report screening questionnaire. PD prevalence was 70.5%, with antisocial PD being the most prevalent (46.1%). In terms of PD clusters, the most prevalent was cluster-B (55.4%). PD diagnosis was associated with HCV genotypes 1, 2, or 3 (odds ratio [OR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–4.49). Patients with a cluster-B PD were more likely to be infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, or 3 (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.08–5.23) and be HIV-infected (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.10–4.39), to report past-year injection drug use (OR 7.17, 95% CI 1.49–34.58), and to have stage 3 or 4 fibrosis (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.06–4.49). The prevalence of PDs in Spanish prisoners who initiate CHC treatment is very high. PD management issues should be considered in treating CHC patients in prisons.

Are personality disturbances in anorexia nervosa related to emotion processing or eating disorder symptomatology?

BackgroundAnorexia Nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness associated with a number of personality disturbances. However, whether these personality characteristics are related to eating disorder symptomatology or emotion regulation is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate these relationships.ResultsTwenty-four individuals with AN and 25 age- and premorbid intelligence-matched controls completed the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire, and scores were correlated with measures of emotionality and negative mood states, and eating disorder symptomatology. AN was associated with increased scores on schizoid, borderline, avoidant, dependent, obsessive compulsive, negativistic and depressive personality dimensions, relative to controls. In AN, eating disorder symptomatology did not significantly correlate with scores on any personality dimension. However, a number of personality characteristics were found to correlate with negative mood states.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that personality disturbances in AN are not related to disorder-specific symptoms, but are related to negative mood states.

Childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: focus on personality disorders and psychopathology

IntroductionPersonality Disorders (PDs) and childhood traumatic experiences have been considered risk factors for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). However, the relationship between these factors and their associated psychopathological impact has not been explored in this population. This study was designed to evaluate the association between different childhood traumas and the presence and number of PDs and current psychopathology in a sample of CFS patients. Material and methodsFor this purpose, 166 CFS patients were evaluated with the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+) and the Child Trauma Questionnaire. Other instruments were used to assess the associated psychopathology and the impact of fatigue. ResultsOf the total sample, 55 (33.1%) presented childhood trauma, the most frequent of which were emotional neglect (21.7%) and emotional abuse (18.1%). Considering PD presence, 79 (47.6%) patients presented some PD. There were no differences in frequency of physical childhood trauma in patients with and without PD. However, patients with PD had more frequently experienced emotional childhood trauma (OR=2.18, p=0.034). Severity of childhood trauma was related to a higher number of PDs, more severe depressive symptoms (p=0.025) and suicide risk (p=0.001). Patients with PD and any childhood trauma presented more severe depressive and irritable symptoms and a higher suicide risk than those without any PD and non-childhood traumatic event. These patients’ psychopathological symptoms were similar to those of patients with childhood trauma and without PD. ConclusionsThese results suggest that emotional childhood trauma but not physical childhood trauma is related to higher frequency of PD presence. More severe childhood emotional and physical traumas are related to a higher number of PDs and to more severe psychopathological symptoms.

Screening schizotypal personality disorder for detection of clinical high risk of psychosis in Chinese mental health services

Schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) is viewed as a marker of prodromal psychosis. However, information regarding genetic risk (e.g. SPD) is often overlooked in the identification process. This study assessed whether SPD screening questionnaire help the prodromal psychosis (also widely applied “clinical high risk” (CHR) for clinical sample) detection in Chinese mental health service. This work also examined whether SPD had higher frequency in genetic risk population and CHR subjects. Two wave studies concerning the SPD identification was used for analysis. Wave 1 survey: 3075 subjects were assessed by Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire for SPD (PDQ-SPD) and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II (SCID-II). Wave 2 survey: 2113 subjects screened with the prodromal questionnaire -brief version (PQ-B), PDQ-SPD, and interviewed by Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS). Subjects with family history of mental disorders or with psychosis reported significantly higher scores in SPD. Receiver operating characteristic curves suggested that PDQ-SPD had moderate sensitivity and specificity for identifying CHR subjects. There was significant higher on SPD features in subjects with early stage (Course less than 1 year) of psychosis. Identifying SPD may be useful in early detection of psychosis especially in detecting the genetic risk syndromes and can be integrated with existing prodromal screen tools to improve its efficiency.

Adult Adhd Screening in Alcohol-dependent Patients

Introduction The association of ADHD and Substance Abuse has been a focus of research. Studies point to elevated rates of ADHD in patients with history of alcohol abuse or dependence. Objectives The main objective of this study was to assess the presence of ADHD in patients with history of alcohol abuse or dependence and investigate a possible relationship with consumption patterns and other mental comorbidities, including personality disorders. Methods We interviewed patients that were hospitalized, were attending the Day Hospital or were being followed in therapeutic groups in a Treatment and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit of the Centro Hospitalar Psiquiatrico de Lisboa. It was collected social and demographic data and applied the following scales: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS); Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (DIVA 2.0); Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire for the DSM IV (PDQ4). Patients were also submitted to a psychiatric interview in order to assess the presence of other comorbidities and suicide attempts. Results 57 patients were evaluated, 80% were male; 63.2% obtained scores PDQ4 suggestive of personality disorder. A high percentage of patients had an history of consumption of other abuse substances and had comorbidity with depression and anxiety disorders. In ASRS scale, 33.3% had scores suggestive of ADHD. Conclusions Diagnosis of ADHD in patients with substance abuse is complex since there are similar symptoms that are present in other mental disorders. However, the presence of ADHD is associated with a more severe expression of addictive behaviors and a worse prognosis, hence the importance of its early diagnosis.

A Head-to-Head Comparison of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) With the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4) in Predicting the General Level of Personality Pathology Among Community Dwelling Subjects.

In order to evaluate if measures of DSM-5 Alternative PD Model domains predicted interview-based scores of general personality pathology when compared to self-report measures of DSM-IV Axis II/DSM-5 Section II PD criteria, 300 Italian community adults were administered the Iowa Personality Disorder Screen (IPDS) interview, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+). Multiple regression analyses showed that the five PID-5 domain scales collectively explained an adequate rate of the variance of the IPDS interview total score. This result was slightly lower than the amount of variance in the IPDS total score explained by the 10 PDQ-4+ scales. The PID-5 traits scales performed better than the PDQ-4+, although the difference was marginal. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the PID-5 domain and trait scales provided a moderate, but significant increase in the prediction of the general level of personality pathology above and beyond the PDQ-4+ scales.

Dépistage des troubles de la personnalité avec la version française du Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ dans une population psychiatrique : une étude préliminaire

BackgroundWe choose to examine the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+), considered as one of the most used and representative measure for personality disorders as they are referenced in the DSM-IV. The PDQ-4+ is a self-report questionnaire assessing the ten personality disorders and the two additional personality disorders derived from the DSM-IV. Participants must answer by true or false to the 99 items, each item represents a personality disorder’ criteria. Few researches have pointed out the psychometric properties of the original version of the PDQ-4+. Validating studies on the French version have been rarely conducted and only among students and teenagers. Clinical samples have been laid aside. ObjectiveConsidering the importance of the assessment of personality disorders, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the main psychometric properties of the French version of the PDQ-4+ as a screening tool for borderline, antisocial, schizotypal, schizoid, obsessional-compulsive, narcissistic, histrionic, paranoid, dependent and avoidant personality disorders, in a psychiatric population. Materials and methodsA sample of 137 French psychiatric patients completed the French versions of the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality disorder-IV (SIDP-IV) and the PDQ-4+. Convergent validity, sensibility, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and internal consistency have been evaluated. ResultsThe level of agreement between the PDQ-4+ and the SIDP-IV was very low for the majority of personality disorders and low for the dependent personality disorder. The sensitivity was high for antisocial and borderline personality disorders and moderate or low for the other. Only dependent (0.44) and borderline (0.39) personality disorders had a moderate predictive positive value, associated with a high negative predictive value (0.82 and 0.79). The other personality disorders had a low positive predictive value (ranged from 0.00 to 0.28) and a high negative predictive value (ranged from 0.76 to 1.00). The specificity was high for five disorders and moderate for the other. Internal consistency of the PDQ-4+ and its subscales was unsatisfying. Correlation coefficients between each PDQ-4+ subscales were low or moderate. ConclusionsAs other self-report measure, the PDQ-4+ screened more personality disorders than the clinical interview. Besides, even if the two diagnostic methods evaluated more borderline and avoidant personality disorders, level of agreements for each personality disorder were generally low, in concordance with previous studies. Only dependent personality disorder emerged with low agreement, moderate specificity and positive predictive value, and high sensitivity and negative predictive value. The influence of the cut-off scores on these results could be raised. The internal consistency for each personality disorders was unsatisfying and lower than other French and international validating studies. The psychometric properties of the French version of the PDQ-4+ were overall unsatisfying. This tool allows a large screening of personality disorders and thus only appears as a useful method to screen a global personality disturbance.

Body Image and Personality in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: The amount of research on the relationship between plastic surgery and psychological features, such as personality disorders and indexes of body image dissatisfaction, has increased significantly in the last years. Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine these psychological features among Italian patients who underwent aesthetic plastic surgery, testing the mediating role of the mass media influence on the relationship between them and the choice of aesthetic plastic surgery. The Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire 4+ (PDQ-4+) and the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT) were administered to patients who underwent aesthetic plastic surgery (N = 111) and participants who had no history of aesthetic plastic surgical procedures (N = 149). Results: Results showed that aesthetic patients reported higher indexes of body image disturbance than controls. No significant differences between aesthetic participants and controls were found in all three cluster B personality disorders. Moreover, the effect of body image dissatisfaction on the choice to undergo aesthetic plastic surgery was partially mediated by the influence of mass media. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study confirmed the importance of body dissatisfaction as a predictor of the choice to undergo aesthetic surgery and highlighted the influence of media messages regarding physical appearance.

Association Between Personality Disorders Traits and Problematic Cannabis Use in Adolescents

Background: There are few studies on the contribution of personality disorder traits to cannabis use disorders in adolescents. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of personality disorder traits to problematic cannabis use. Methods: Participants were 111 high school students who completed self-report questionnaires, mainly the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test, assessing problematic cannabis use, and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire using the scales evaluating personality disorders most often linked to adolescent cannabis use. Results: A multiple regression analysis showed that personality disorder traits explained a high part of the variance in problematic cannabis use symptoms. Schizotypal and borderline personality traits were positively associated to problematic cannabis use symptoms after adjustment for anxious and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: This study suggests the importance of evaluating personality disorder traits in studies of risk factors or consequences of problematic cannabis use.

Personality disorders as an expression of the dimensional polarity in personality development in late adulthood women.

Relationships between Axis II personality disorders and Sidney Blatt constructs of dependency and self-criticism were explored in a late adulthood women sample. The sample consisted of 102 women (M = 72.07 years of age, SD = 7.04) who were administered two measures, the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ and the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire. The histrionic, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder scales are shown to be significant predictors of dependency, and the narcissistic, borderline, and avoidant scales are significant predictors of self-criticism. The application of a dimensional interpersonal approach to psychopathology is discussed.