title: Dependent personality traits and information processing: assessing the interpretation of ambiguous information using the Thematic Apperception Test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate interpretation bias in people with dependent personality traits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) cards were administered to participants (N=56) who scored high or low on DSM-III-R dependent personality pathology. Two independent judges rated the TAT stories using a rating list based on the cognitive model of the dependent and paranoid personality disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Controlling for self-esteem, the dependent interpretation bias appeared to be specific for dependent personality pathology. SEM analysis supported a mediation model in which beliefs mediate the relationship between DSM-III-R traits and interpretation bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings in this study support the hypothesis that people with dependent traits are characterized by a schema-related interpretation bias and that this bias is mediated by dependent beliefs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Clinical, and Experimental Psychology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. anoek.weertman@deviersprong.nl
authors.forename: Anoek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weertman
authors.forename: Arnoud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arntz
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schouten
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dreessen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003859:Dependent Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D012649:Self Concept; D012660:Semantics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013803:Thematic Apperception Test