Dependent personality disorder: comparing an expert generated and empirically derived five-factor model personality disorder count

Assessment. 2008 Mar;15(1):4-15. doi: 10.1177/1073191107306095.

Abstract

Assessment of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Ed.; DSM-IV ) personality disorders (PDs) using five-factor model (FFM) prototypes and counts has shown substantial promise, with a few exceptions. Miller, Reynolds, and Pilkonis suggested that the expert-generated FFM dependent prototype might be misspecified in relation to the DSM-IV because of the overemphasis of high Agreeableness and underemphasis of low Conscientiousness in the experts' conception. A meta-analytic review of the relations between the FFM facets and Dependent PD (DPD) was conducted and used to create a revised, empirically based FFM DPD profile and count. The revised profile and count were more strongly correlated with DSM and non-DSM conceptualizations of maladaptive dependency. In addition, the revised FFM DPD profile was able to recreate the patterns of comorbidity typically found when using DSM-IV measures of DPD. Possible explanations for the discrepancy between the expert ratings and the meta-analytic results are offered.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dependency, Psychological
  • Dependent Personality Disorder / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Models, Psychological*