Self-Ratings of Personality Pathology: Insights Regarding Their Validity and Treatment Utility

AbstractPurpose of reviewThe validity of self-ratings of personality pathology often is questioned because personality disorders (PD) historically have been viewed as being characterized by poor insight. However, recent research indicates that PD self-ratings are valid in many ways and have significant clinical utility. Building upon this growing literature, our goal here is to provide practical discussion of how incorporating dimensional PD ratings into assessment protocols can benefit diagnosis and treatment.Recent findingsWe first review evidence suggesting that PD self-ratings are particularly useful for assessing constructs related to individuals ’ own subjective experiences (e.g., propensities for experiencing negative mood states). We then highlight research indicating that PD self-ratings (a) change positively with intervention and (b) meaningfully inform diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment outcome. Finally, we illustrate how f reely available, well-validated self-report PD measures can be used to efficiently obtain clinically useful information in a manner comprehensible to both practitioners and patients.SummarySelf-ratings of personality pathology are valid and useful in many ways and can be efficiently incorporated into assessment protocols. Key future directions for advancing knowledge of self-report PD assessment include examining the extent to which self-ratings of antagonism —a core PD trait—are accurate across contexts.

Source: Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry - September 12, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research