Validation of the SWAP-200 for diagnosing psychostructural organization in personality disorders.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to investigate the validity of the prototype-matching, empirically based 200-item Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200) and its clinical utility for describing underlying dimensions of psychostructural organization and functioning.


METHODS
Patients (n = 306) from two psychoanalytic out-patient departments were included. Replicatory and exploratory factor analysis, correlation and discriminant validity statistics, and canonical correlation analysis were performed.


RESULTS
Replicatory factor analysis failed to reproduce the identical original factorial structure. Standard factor analysis revealed an eight-factor solution displaying a dimensional description of psychostructural personality organization (high functioning - neurotic/inhibited - borderline/emotionally dysregulated - psychotic/dissocial). Discriminant validity exists across the sample owing to high/poor psychological functioning. Canonical correlation analysis does not support the replacement of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, but provides relevant implications for refining DSM-IV axis II.


CONCLUSIONS
Support is given for the SWAP instrument in describing dimensional higher-order personality organization and psychostructural functioning.
Loffler-Stastka
H
H
Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. henriette.loeffler-stastka@meduniwien.ac.at
Ponocny-Seliger
E
E
Fischer-Kern
M
M
Rossler-Schulein
H
H
Leithner-Dziubas
K
K
Schuster
P
P
D000328:Adult; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires