The construct validity of passive-aggressive personality disorder.
Although Passive Aggressive personality disorder (PAPD) plays an important role in many theories of personality pathology, it was consigned to the appendix of the fourth edition of the DSM. The scientific basis of this decision has been questioned, but several controversies persist regarding PAPD, including its structure, content validity, overlap with other PDs, and relations to validating variables such as personality traits, childhood experiences, and clinically relevant correlates. This study examined these facets of PAPD's construct validity in a large clinical sample. Results suggest that the construct is unidimensional, internally consistent, and reasonably stable. Furthermore, PAPD appears systematically related to borderline and narcissistic personality disorders, sets of personality traits, and childhood experiences consistent with several theoretical formulations, dysfunction, substance abuse disorders, and history of hospitalizations. Overall, results support the construct validity of PAPD.
Hopwood
Christopher J
CJ
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1116, USA. hopwood2@msu.edu
Morey
Leslie C
LC
Markowitz
John C
JC
Pinto
Anthony
A
Skodol
Andrew E
AE
Gunderson
John G
JG
Zanarini
Mary C
MC
Shea
M Tracie
MT
Yen
Shirley
S
McGlashan
Thomas H
TH
Ansell
Emily B
EB
Grilo
Carlos M
CM
Sanislow
Charles A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010324:Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors