B - 85 Verbal Memory Predicts Histrionic Personality Disorder Characteristics

Abstract Objective Our research examined the relationship between Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) symptoms and attention and memory. Method Participants were 109 undergraduate students (M = 19.9 years, SD = 3.44; 52.3% women, 47.7% men; 65.1% White, 29.4% Black or African American). Researchers administered the Wechsler Memory Scale-IV and Test of Everyday Attention to measure participants’ memory and attention. Participants also completed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory to assess personality characteristics. Results Regression was conducted with memory and attention as predictors and HPD symptoms as DV. The full model was not significant, but a model with immediate verbal memory and MCMI validity score was significant, F(2, 106) = 4.55, p = 0.01, adj. R2 = 0.06, 95% CI [0, 0.16]. Logistic regression was conducted with the same predictors and meeting HPD cutoff score as DV. Full model was not significant, but a model that contained verbal memory was significant, F(1, 107) = 5.72, p = 0.02, adj. R2 = 0.04, 95% CI [0, 0.14]. Better verbal memory was associated with more histrionic personality characteristics (beta = 0.228) and greater likelihood to exceed clinical cutoffs for histrionic personality disorder (beta = 0.225). Conclusion Our results were not fully consistent with our hypothesis. Verbal memory was the only predictor of HPD symptoms, with better verbal memory predicting more HPD characteristics and greater likelihood of exceeding clinical cutoff scores. Together with prior research outcomes, the results imply HPD is cognitively different from other cluster B disorders in a way that is related to better verbal memory.