title: Measuring the core features of personality disorders in substance abusers using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).
abstract: Personality disorders (PDs) are still classified through categorical taxonomies that are at odds with current research findings. Dimensional models provide a suitable alternative for measuring individual differences. However, as they have traditionally lacked a clear definition of the "disorder" construct, the clinical utility of these models has been limited. This study tests whether Cloninger's dimensional model is able to capture two domains: the features that differentiate PD subtypes from each other and the common core features underlying all PDs. Seventy-four drug dependent patients were independently assessed using the SCID-II and Cloninger's TCI. There was a slight relationship between TCI temperament dimensions and the DSM personality disorder subtypes, but the association was not specific enough to allow differential diagnosis. The character dimension Self-Directedness was strongly associated with the presence and severity of all PDs, irrespective of subtype, correctly classifying 77% of subjects. Character dimensions are a reliable, valid and low-cost tool for detecting PDs in drug abusers and may help to provide an operational definition of the common core features underlying all PDs.
authors.affiliation: Institut Clínic de Psiquiatria i Psicologia, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel, 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. fguti@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sangorrín
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martín-Santos
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torrens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002605:Character; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament