Empirical testing of the relation between six-dimensional model of personality and categorical model of personality disorders

Introduction Categorical model of personality disorders (PD), described in the leading classifications of mental disorders: DSM and ICD, has been seriously criticized in the last three decades, and the result is a strong research campaign to redefine it into dimensional concept. Five-factor model of the personality has been most often considered and examined as a frame for this reconceptualization. However, the results obtained from the different perspective researches suggest the existance of psychotic disposition as basic dimension of personality beyond the scope of „big five“. This dimension is important for understanding serious mental disorders, both clinical and personality disorders. Disintegration concept represents the most comprehensive taxonomy of this dimension. Problem Main problem in the research is two-sided: to determine the relation between basic structure of personality and personality disorders, as well as to determine the contribution that disintegration dimension provides to the five-factor model in personality disorders explanation. Metod On the sample of 166 examinees, both genders included, NEO-PI R questionnaire was applied for the assessment of 5 basic personality traits, DELTA 10 questionnaire for the assessment of disintegration, SCID II qestionnaire and SCID II semi-structured interview for the assessment of personality disorders according to DSM IV classification. The relation between six-dimensional model of personality and various constructs of personality disorders categorical model (presence of disorder, severity of disorder, cluster of disorders /A, B, C/, General PL factor and 10 syndromes/types of the disorder), was examined through series of discriminative and hierarchical analysis of regression. Results Personality dimensions systematically distinguish persons with personality disorders from the persons that do not have this disorder; explain substantial proportion of variance in the disorders severity, characteristics of A, B and C clusters, general characteristics of disorders (General PL factor), as well as in each 10 syndromes of disorder; disintegration has systematically improved model of basic personality structure in discrimination and prediction of personality disorders, furthermore, it represents the most important basic trait for their understanding. Narrow personality traits are better predictors of personality disorders than the wide basic dimensions, but there is significant contet overlapping among them