title: What dimensions underlie cluster B personality disorders?
abstract: This report presents a conceptual model of the relationships between personality dimensions and the four personality disorders listed in the B cluster on axis II. The hypothesis will be developed that while impulsivity is the common dimension underlying all four disorders, differences between the categories reflect the severity of impulsive traits, interactions with other personality dimensions, the effects of gender, and the influence of culture. Clinical and research implications of the model are then described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Looper
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paris
mesh_terms: D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003469:Culture; D006677:Histrionic Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009289:Narcissism; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D017678:Sex Distribution