title: Deriving an empirical structure of personality pathology for DSM-5.
abstract: The DSM-IV model of personality disorders is composed of trait sets arranged into 10 theoretically distinct, polythetically assessed categories, with little regard for how the traits comprising these disorders are interrelated and structured. Research since the publication of DSM-III has shown that this model is untenable. The question is not whether this model needs revision; rather, the question is how to move from the existing DSM-IV framework to a model better connected with data. Empirically-based models of personality trait variation provide a starting point for DSM-5, and ongoing research will be used to delineate further the empirical structure of personality traits in the pathological range. The ultimate goal is to frame future DSMs in a way that is maximally useful for clinicians as well as researchers. It is also critical to understand that the DSM-5 is intended to be a living document that will facilitate novel inquiry and clinical applications, as opposed to a document designed to promote and perpetuate a fixed set of constructs. Thus, we view a proposed trait system as a first step on a path to a well-validated, clinically-useful structure.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Minnesota,75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0344, USA. krueg038@umn.edu
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: Nicholas R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: Lee Anna
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Kristian E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Markon
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Derringer
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skodol
authors.forename: W John
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Livesley
mesh_terms: D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010551:Personality; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011594:Psychometrics