title: Development and validation of a computerized screening test for personality disorders in DSM-III-R.
abstract: The available self-report instruments designed to measure personality disorder (PD) are time-consuming to administer and/or score and can be impractical for routine clinical use. There is a need for a computerized method of personality assessment based on contemporary systems of classification. A computerized DSM-III-R-based questionnaire was developed and validated against the structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R Axis-II disorders on a sample of 60 subjects. The computerized test showed moderate validity as a diagnostic instrument (mean kappa coefficient = 0.47). With adjusted cut-off scores it was valid as a screening instrument (mean sensitivity = 0.87). Antisocial, borderline and avoidant PD scores were strongly correlated across measures and not subject to significant observer bias.
authors.affiliation: Defence Services Psychiatric Centre, Duchess of Kent Military Hospital, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Neal
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software