Confirmatory factor analysis of DSM-IV borderline, schizotypal, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders: findings from the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study.
OBJECTIVE
To test the diagnostic constructs implied by DSM-IV Axis-II personality disorders by examining relationships between different combinations of DSM-IV criteria.


METHODS
Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the borderline, schizotypal, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder constructs in a large treatment-seeking sample (N= 668) from a multisite study. A model based on the three DSM-IV Axis II clusters was also tested. Both models were tested against a unitary 'generic' model constructed from four criteria sets combined.


RESULTS
Goodness-of-fit for both the three-cluster and four disorder models was significantly better than the unidimensional model, and the four-disorder model was significantly better than the three-cluster model. Results were replicated using data from 2-year follow-up obtained by interviewers blind to original Axis II diagnoses at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Support is provided for the DSM-IV disorder-level classification for schizotypal, borderline, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders in a treatment-seeking sample.
Sanislow
Charles A
CA
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8098, USA.
Morey
Leslie C
LC
Grilo
Carlos M
CM
Gunderson
John G
JG
Shea
M Tracie
MT
Skodol
Andrew E
AE
Stout
Robert L
RL
Zanarini
Mary C
MC
McGlashan
Thomas H
TH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index