Examination of DSM ‐5 Section III avoidant personality disorder in a community sample

Abstract
The current research evaluated the continuity between DSM‐5 Section II and Section III diagnostic operationalizations of avoidant personality disorder (AvPD). More specifically, the study had three aims: (1) to examine which personality constructs comprise the optimal trait constellation for AvPD; (2) to investigate the utility of the proposed structure of the Section III AvPD diagnosis, in regard to combining functional impairment (criterion A) and a dimensional measure of personality (criterion B) variables; and (3) to determine whether AvPD‐specific impairment confers incremental meaningful contribution above and beyond general impairment in personality functioning. A mixed sample of 402 university and community participants was recruited, and they were administered multiple measures of Section II PD, personality traits, and personality impairment. A latent measurement model approach was used to analyse data. Results supported the general continuity between Section II and Section III of the DSM‐5; however, three of the four main criterion B traits were the stronger predictors. There was also some support for the trait unassertiveness augmenting the criterion B trait profile. The combination of using functional impairment criteria (criterion A) and dimensional personality constructs (criterion B) in operationalizing AvPD was supported; however, the reliance of disorder‐specific over general impairment for criterion A was not supported. Copyright © 2017 Joh...

Source: Personality and Mental Health - July 13, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Martin Sellbom, Kieran L.C. Carmichael, Jacqueline Liggett Tags: Research Article Source Type: research